Team gets applause before their game
Taupō Women’s team already in top spot
The Taupō Football Women’s Team walked onto the field in Cambridge for their last game of the league to applause from their opponents, as with two games still to play they had already secured the top spot in the Waikato Division One Football League tournament.
Last year the team won the Waikato Bay of Plenty League tournament, and so this year they went up to play in Waikato’s first division. Taupō player Nicola Drake says the team’s goal for this year was only to finish in the top four.
Nicola says the Taupō team dominated the first half of the season, but the pressure was back on by the end of the campaign, due to some losses and draws in the latter part of the season.
But the team pulled through, winning 12 of the 17 games played and holding the lead to win the Waikato
Division One League.
“Then the top four teams played each other again, and we still came out on top.”
The squad of 19 women were quite tired by the time they lost against Te Puke.
“We’ll stay in this league next year, it’s a good fit for us.”
Nicola says the team has a notably inclusive and encouraging culture, with newcomers welcomed into the team each season.
She says the players are local women who want to get back into football, and also want to find a sense of connection and community. She says the players are proud to represent Taupō and lift the profile of the club in the region.
Many of the players also coach a children’s team, including Danielle Dunbar, who this season played her
100th game for the team.
“This group of hard-working and motivated women juggle family, jobs and school then turn up on Sunday giving it their best and exhibiting a culture of kindness, support and good humour that sees them welcome at clubs around the region,” Nicola says.
Team members are a mix of longterm Taupō residents and newcomers to the region.
“The youngest is 16 and the oldest is 50, giving the team a healthy mix of experience and young energy.”
Coach Dave MacCallum says he is as proud of the team’s culture as of their title win.
“The dedication and sportsmanship they show every week is an asset to our club and they are great role models for our next generation of female players.”
Dave says each player is dedicated to the team, with high levels of trust among teammates.
“I’m proud to be a part of a team that shows up to training every week ready to put the work in and then compete for each other on the weekends.”
He says winning the league is always the first goal to be discussed at pre-season training, and the team achieved this goal for the last two seasons as a result of the hard work put in each week.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure coaching the Taupō AFC Women.”
Nicola says they are always looking for women to join the team, and says there is a focus on skills development and they offer a positive and welcoming culture. She says get in touch before the muster in February, or message the club through Facebook — @Taupō AFCWomen’sTeam.