Tara Murray
Sylvia Stergiou wasn’t sure how her return to the soccer pitch would go this year.
Having not played for a number of years, Stergiou decided to play again as part of Sunbury United’s women’s team.
The team exceeded all expectations and claimed the FV state league 5 west season, claiming promotion and the title.
Stergiou capped off her season with the leading goalscorer award and the league best and fairest.
Stergiou said the best and fairest award was a shock.
“It was pretty cool,” she said. “It has never happened before me.
“It was better than I ever expected to be honest.”
Stergiou played soccer for about 13 years when she was younger including playing in FV state league 1.
She decided to have a break seven or eight years ago.
When Sunbury restarted its women’s side this year, it led to Stergiou returning to the field.
“My sister in law thought it was a good idea and I thought why not,” she said.
“I was a bit worried as I’m a bit older and I was worried that I’d had a long break.
“I moved to Romsey a few years ago and Sunbury looked like it had a lot of support and I thought why not?
“It was really good.”
Stergiou said the club was really good and showed plenty of support for the women’s side.
The side was a mixture of players who had played before and some who had never stepped out onto the field.
Sunbury secured promotion heading into the final round. Promotion came down to the final match with PEGS with the winner to claim the title.
Sunbury won that 1-0.
Stergiou said it was the best season she had ever been a part of. Sunbury lost just one game for the year.
“We were an older team,” she said. “We had a good start and it wasn’t surprising.
“It was amazing to be in the promotion race.
“I had never been more on edge in a game in my life. The weather was unprecedented with such a hectic wind.
“We were able to get one early and hold on to it.”
Stergiou said while she enjoyed her return to the field, she wasn’t sure what the future held.
Sunbury is set to play in state league 4 west next year.
“I don’t know,” she said. “I’m feeling the aches and pains.
“Ask me next year.”
