Ballarat Eureka Strikers working towards place in WNPL

The Eureka Strikers have met with key Football Federation Victoria representatives following their failed bid to be part of the inaugural Women’s National Premier Leagues season in 2016.

FFV provided feedback to the club following its detailed submission, outlining a number of positive aspects of the bid while pin-pointing junior player numbers as a crucial area of improvement across the region.

The feedback praised the Eureka Strikers for an “excellent application” that was “well presented in most areas”.

“Facilities and council support were particularly strong. The key issue was around junior female participation numbers in the region,” the report said.

“It is recommended that the club works closely with the FFV over the next few years to address this issue, i.e. increase female player numbers with a view to entering WNPL competition in the future.”

Eureka Strikers’ bid coordinator Laura Brady told The Courier FFV had revealed figures showing junior female participation in the Geelong region had risen 18 per cent from 2014 to 2015, while climbing just one per cent in Ballarat.

“That’s pretty indicative of the problem we have got,” Brady said.

Brady said the main focus was now on developing an elite junior representative side – likely under-13s – and creating a skill acquisition program for players to take part in outside their regular club soccer.

“It’s now just about engaging with the Ballarat District Soccer Association and the clubs to see whether we can grow junior female participation in the region,” she said.

Brady said it was a positive sign that FFV was willing to help with the concerns and hoped the club could find its way into the WNPL by season 2017.

“I’m confident that we will eventually be there,” Brady said.

“I’d love 2017, but it may be 2018. I’d be very confident of 2018 and hopeful for 2017.”