City girls on their way

The City girls traveled to the region for a practice game last year and will use this encounter to prepare for the upcoming 2016-17 season.

Ballarat was beaten 6-0 in last year’s match, where it was flagged that it become an annual fixture.

Strikers coach Laura Brady said the game is a coup for women’s soccer in the Ballarat region and provides an opportunity for local players to battle the best club team in Australia.

“There is certainly a buzz amongst the squad about the opportunity to play against some bona fide stars,” Brady said.

“The game also provides an opportunity for our players to perhaps get noticed on a bigger stage.

“This opportunity would not be possible without the phenomenal facilities at Morshead Park. Playing on a world-class surface is a definite drawcard.”

In last year’s game, Australian international Larissa Crummer netted a hat-trick, while fellow international player Lisa De Vanna put on a master class performance.

That match came on the back of the Ballarat team’s successful Football Federation Victoria women’s state league one campaign that landed the league title and a grand final berth.

This year, the Strikers welcome City to town on the back of a fifth placing in the league.

Brady said injured W-League players will host a question/answer session for spectators in the clubrooms during the half time break on Saturday.

City players are also expected to be available for photographs and autographs after the clash.

Earlier in the day, City representatives are expected to be part of a free youth girls soccer clinic. This has been scheduled to run between 10am-noon.

The game is then set to start from 1pm on the main pitch at Morshead Park.

Ballarat’s 2016 season will then officially come to a close with the end-of-year presentation function that night.