BALLARAT Eureka Strikers are the city’s new entity in women’s state league soccer.
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Three teams – seniors, reserves and under-16s – will continue in Football Federation Victoria competition next season, but no longer under the Ballarat Lady Devils banner.
The female arm of the Ballarat Red Devils had to part ways from the National Premier Leagues Victoria club because of rising costs associated with the new elite competition and players and officials have decided to go it alone.
Eureka Strikers’ development coach, Laura Brady, said she was thrilled with the new name.
“For us, obviously, culture has been a really important part of who the women’s division of the club has been,” Brady said. “Things like, as a team, we attend Anzac Day services and get involved in blood donation drives. It’s about being a collective group and it doesn’t matter on the result as long as you go out and try as hard as you possibly can and fight for each other.
It’s all about doing what’s best for the team. I think that reflects in the Eureka spirit and identity.”
Brady said a Ballarat women’s team in the state league system had been known as the Strikers before it had been taken over by the Ballarat Red Devils.
“It’s sort of not a whole new identity, but adding Eureka in there, particularly being the 150th anniversary of the rebellion, is quite fitting,” she said.
Rick Romein will remain coach and Morshead Park will still be the club’s home venue.
Brady said the Eureka Strikers would be a state league team under the Ballarat and District Soccer Association umbrella and registered with FFV through Ballarat Sports and Soccer Club. A design featuring the Southern Cross flag is expected to be part of the club’s kit.
Players interested in joining should call team manager Bernie Curtain on 0408 342 293.