Gross back to lead Tasman challenge
A move back to Nelson to captain Tasman United could be just what Geena Gross needs after missing out on the Fifa Under-20 Women’s World Cup last year.
The 19-year-old centre-back has opened up on the disappointment she felt after missing the final cut for Leon Birnie’s side, having moved to Auckland in a bid to give herself the best possible chance of earning selection.
Gross, who grew up in Golden Bay, had previously represented New Zealand at under-17 and under-20 level and believed she was in the form of her life with Glenfield Rovers, making it through to the final of the National Women’s Knockout Cup.
However, when the New Zealand squad was selected for the World Cup, her name wasn’t on the list.
‘‘After selection I sort of took my mind off it and tried focussing on other things,’’ she said, describing her reaction to the omission as ‘‘absolute disappointment’’.
‘‘I knew it was never going to hold me back forever and it was just a step back in my football career for a little bit.’’
The former Nelson College for Girls student isn’t letting that one setback knock her down and said her long-term ambition of playing for the Football Ferns hasn’t altered.
She said the motivation for coming home to Nelson was to simply get back to enjoying football again and Tasman’s introduction into the Mainland Women’s Premier League last year will enable her to continue playing at a reasonable level, Ferns starter Annalie Longo proving that by turning out for Cashmere Technical last year.
‘‘It probably would have been a different story coming back if it wasn’t for the Tasman team. I probably wouldn’t have come back and been as eager knowing I was just playing in the women’s division in Nelson.
‘‘But playing in the Christchurch league with a lot of good players is still a good step forward and having Flea [Longo] in the league showed you don’t have to be at the top level all the time, as long as you’re putting in the hard work when you need to and that you’re putting in all the time and effort behind the scenes.’’
Coach Ryan Stewart is clearly glad to have the experienced defender back in the region and has already handed her the captain’s armband for season two as Tasman look to improve on last year’s third placing.
Gross said Tasman’s introduction was a boost for the female football players in Nelson and Marlborough and their competitive showing proved that a team from the top of the south deserved to be in Christchurch’s premier competition.
‘‘It shows that if we get stuck in and commit to something that we can do well, and a lot of people, especially in Christchurch, didn’t expect how well we did.
‘‘But we are looking at doing better this year, definitely, and top two is what I want.’’
Tasman begin the season away to Coastal Spirit on Saturday.
Their game kicks off at English Park at 12:30pm.