The club failed in its bid to be part of the inaugural season of the competition in 2016, but has again lodged an application in the hope of securing a place in the elite state-based soccer league.

Laura Brady has been behind the submission and believes there will only be one more club added to the existing structure, which includes first-year sides Calder United, Alamein, Bulleen Lions, Geelong Galaxy United, Heidelberg United, Box Hill United, Bayside United, Southern United and a National Training Centre representative squad.

Brady thinks South Melbourne is the front-runners to get a licence, but reckons her club has a strong case.

“If it’s on geography, then you would think we would have an advantage over them on that particular measure, but in terms of record in women’s soccer and in terms of established youth, they would have the advantage on that measure,” Brady said.

Members of the Strikers met with representatives from Football Federation Victoria following their failed bid last year, where it was identified that the club’s lack of junior teams was an issue.

“They basically said that our application was the best on paper, but the fact we didn’t have youth left us at a disadvantage,” she said.

“We entered the under-13 team this year (in the Ballarat and District Soccer Association) and they played against the boys.”

Brady said the lack of junior girls teams could be a potential problem once again.

“I think in terms of financial stability, in terms of facilities, in terms of support from the council, all those things that they are looking for, I think we’ve got down pat really well,” she said.

“And we’ve got some advantages. Morshead Park is an outstanding facility, but I just think in terms of having those established juniors, we’re behind.”

Brady said she believed the club could manage to fill the WNPL’s requirement of under-13, under-15 and under-18 girls teams – as well as the senior side – next year.

“For us, it really depends on what the strategic goal of the FFV is. Because if it’s to grow the game, then I think we’re a logical choice,” she said.

“Otherwise, what other options do girls in this region have?

“I would say the AFL for females is pretty threatening for soccer in the Ballarat region and so that’s something I suppose the FFV has got to make a decision about whether they want to respond to that or not.”

Applications will be assessed on criteria including teams, youth development, coaching, governance (eligibility and identity), organisational structure, finance, facilities, medical, reporting, member protection, council support, track record in women’s and girl’s football and geography (location of applicants).