By Tara Murray
Spring Hills has had the perfect FFV state league 3 season on Sunday.
Having claimed the state league 3 north title, the Stallions focused turned to trying to win the overall state league 3 title.
They won the their semi final against west winner Hume City, 7-1.
On Sunday, they were due to face Harrisfield Hurricanes to claim the overall state league 3 title. On Wednesday, the Hurricanes forfeited handing the Stallions the title.
Stallions Tom Markovski said they saw potential in these girls several years ago and decided to make a real focus of having a strong female program at the club.
He said taking out the overall title capped off their season. He said was disappointing not to have been able to play that final match and claim the win on the field.
The team finished the state league 3 north season undefeated.
Markovski said they knew they had a good team, but didn’t expect to go through undefeated.
He said the aim was to win the title and earn promotion.
“It’s a great achievement for the girls,” he said. It’s the first win and promotion, and will always go down in history.
“We knew we had a special team and we were pushing to play up. We beat teams in division 1 and 2 comfortably during the preseason.
“We thought we would be right there, but it was whether injuries, whether people going away and whether we could handle it.”
The Stallions next generation players have been given a chance, with several of the under-16 team getting an opportunity.
The Stallions focus on having a strong female program is reaping the rewards across the board.
Their under-18 girls team won the Sportsmart girls north-west competition, before claiming the overall title on Saturday.
The 13-14 and 15-16 girls teams are this weekend both playing for the Sportsmart metropolitan title in their age groups.
Markovski said they have their focus on bigger things with the female program.
“The aim in the NPL [National Premier League] in 2020 when it’s open next.
“We have the teams and have the facilities and our juniors are beating NPL teams.
“The girls are saying bring it on next year. We’re ready to go again next year for another promotion.
“For us the message is for girls looking to have some where to go come down to Spring Hills.”
