Tara Murray
Westgate made it back-to-back titles in the FV women’s state league competition with a dominant season this year.
Having won the state league 3 west title last year, Westgate backed it up this year with the state league 2 north-west title.
Westgate won 14 of its 16 games and conceded just eight goals for the season.
Coach Sean Sumner said it was a really good achievement for the group.
“It was good,” he said. “We always had plans to win the league.
“We won the league last year so we’ve won back-to-back… Last year it was state league 3 and we got promoted and now won the league and championship, so next year state league 1.”
Sumner said the playing group had been focused on building on what they had done last year.
They started the season with a 6-1 win against Spring Hills and it was a sign of things to come for the rest of the season.
“They worked hard to get the rewards and they didn’t slack off,” he said. “We wanted to achieve this.”
The road to back-to-back championships and promotions started with a phone in 2022. President Alex Jovicic and the committee wanted to see their women’s program rise up the ranks.
The club had finished the 2022 season in state league 3 west in ninth spot with just three wins for the year.
“Westgate was not well known in the women’s space two years ago,” he said. “I got a phone call and the president Alex gave me a blank slate to get into state league 1 as soon as I could.
“I’d won six championships before. I got Hoppers Crossing from state league to state league 1. I’d coached Avondale and Moreland Zebras to championships.
“They gave me a challenge to do what I do best.”
Sumner worked the phones to bring in a squad to win championships. He said they were now having people approach them to join the club.
He said they have relevance which is a big deal.
The club will have to have a second women’s side next season, as part of the requirements of being in state league 1.
“I want to look to have a relatively young squad,” Sumner said. “I want to build them into senior players in the future.
“It’s good for the culture. Hopefully we can attract a lot of players.
Now what’s next, having achieved the goal of reaching state league 1?
“We want to build off back-to-back promotions,” he said. “The club wants to go the next step into the Victorian Premier League.”
