Tara Murray
Gisborne is bouncing back in a big way in the FV state league 4 west women’s competition this season.
The Sky Blues lost just one match in 2021 before the season was called off due to the pandemic.
With 10 players leaving the club in the off season, coach Tony Trimboli has had to rebuild the side.
After three matches, the side sits undefeated which has included two big wins.
Trimboli, who took over as coach in 2020, said COVID had hurt them badly the last couple of years.
“Last year we lost just one game against a side that we thought wasn’t in the right state league,” he said.
“We then lost 10 players, including two pregnancies and a few younger ones. They wanted us to go up to state league 3, but we didn’t think we would be able to match it with them, so we stayed down in state league 4.”
The Sky Blues have proven the last couple of years that it doesn’t matter what age you are, you can play football.
Last year they had three players in the 50s play, with a couple still in the squad this year.
“One day we came across two sisters kicking with a lady,” Trimboli said.
“It was their mum who had never played in her life and we asked if she wanted to train and have a kick.
“We played her in the practice matches as a goalkeeper and she was really good. She’s injured at the moment but is keen to come back.”
Trimboli said they had been able to get a number of players from Sunbury United to help fill the squad this year.
He said they have also turned to youth.
“We have five under-16s this year who are playing seniors. One of the young ones was just 14 when she started training with me.”
Trimboli said captain Taylah McIntyre had been massive both on field and off field this season.
The Sky Blues beat the Brimbank Stallions, 3-2 on Sunday.
Trimboli said the club wanted to continue to build the female program at the club.
“None of the girls have ever won a championship, hopefully we can do that this year,” he said.
“Hopefully we’ll have a few players come back next year and we’ll be an even stronger team and we can hopefully move into state league 3.
“Any other girls who want to try out are always welcome. It’s like we are one big family.”
