As recently as two years ago, you would have found no mention of Western Springs among the teams competing in women's soccer's elite competition in the northern region, the Northern Premier Women's League. That's been the situation going back to the club's formation in 1989, following the merger of the Grey Lynn and Pt. Chevalier clubs. Since then, “The Hoops”, as they are affectionately known, have been represented by the club's senior men's team in the Northern League, enjoying the odd success along the way until they were relegated at the end of the 2005 season. It was an ignominious end to the year for a club which began it with two teams involved in Northern League football for the first time in its history. For Springs had been overseeing the growth a team of young female footballers throughout the course of the century, and they had reached the stage where the challenge of Premier Women's League football was the next step in their development. Paul Temple, co-coach of the squad, takes up the story. “It's mainly due to the club being quite pro-active behind the scenes - that's been a big part of it, but so was the fact they had a few good youngsters in their Division One side, some of whom have grown up playing football for the club. “Wanting to use our knowledge and expertise to take them that step further, Jose Figueira and I approached the club, having been impressed by their facilities - their clubrooms are only three years old at most, for instance - and development plans at Seddon Fields, where next year, five full-sized floodlit sand-based pitches will be in place, meaning all teams at the club can train and play there at the same time, something they've never been able to do”. On the park, Figuiera began to implement a three-year plan, the first part of which saw a more professional culture introduced to the club. “After that first year”, says Temple, “we needed to add quality to what was there in order to improve, yet at the same time keep the Western Springs foundation on which the team is built. “Our ideal was to recruit players who would fit in with the culture we're looking to build, with the focus being on the team - the players themselves and how much effort they put in - rather than on the individual. “We've done that this year, as well as made progress on the field and established a reputation for ourselves. After last season's mid-table finish, we set ourselves goals this year of a top-three finish in the league -

Poppy Binning Hannah Valentine Penny Chapman

fourth is now the best we can do, and making the semis in the cup, a goal we've exceeded by making the final!” The unity of the squad has been one of the key factors in Springs' cup run. Everyone gets on well, there's a good team spirit, a willingness to work for one another, and a real sense of enjoyment which can be seen in the players' on-field attitudes. “The players have stepped up to a level they didn't know they were capable of”, declares Temple of Springs' progress. “A classic example is former Waitakere City defender Sarah Nelson. She's been given a chance, and encouraged to believe in herself, and has turned into a really good player. “At the start of this season, we copped a couple of hidings from Three Kings and Lynn-Avon, but every game since, we've kicked on well, and are now a much more competitive unit, and far harder to beat. “That's a credit to captain Hannah Valentine and the squad. The young inexperienced side of the team has gone - they're much more mature, now, and receptive to new ideas”. Another plus-point is the impact this initiative has had on the rest of the club. “It gives the youngsters in the club something to aim for, while involving everyone in the club at the same time”, says the former Auckland women's coach. “We regularly have twenty-two players along at each training session. Jose looks after the defensive set-up, and the development of technical detail, while I concentrate on the attacking aspects. We try to make it specific to the players for their positions, and as professional as we can”. Of help in that regard is the support of sponsors Manson Property Developments, which has, amongst other things, enabled the purchase of new equipment and gear for the girls, including an eye-catching playing strip. “It's important that the players like being there, and feel wanted and appreciated. The support which Manson have afforded us has been tremendous, and very welcome”, says Temple, who is understandably upbeat about Springs' prospects in the final. “We plan to make further inroads in the league next season, but for these youngsters to be involved in the showpiece event of the season after just two seasons in senior football … it's a superb finale to what has been an incredible campaign”.