Coach: Graham Dudley
Home ground: Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
Brief overview: South Eastern outfits Bayside Argonauts FC, Beaumaris SC, Brighton SC, Hampton Junior SC and Sandringham SC all helped make up the consortium of Bayside United who head into their inaugural NPLW season armed with a talented young squad and strong contingent of Sandringham SC players from 2015. Things off-the-pitch look to be set up right at Bayside, with their social media platform one of the best run in the state, and their home base of Kingston Heath a solid facility. Sporting a new, clean logo with a throwback to their foundation clubs, Bayside will be hoping to make a splash in their debut season.
Confirmed squad (2015 club in brackets):
- Emily Harbis (Senior NTC)
- Emma Robers (Sandringham SC)
- Angela Durston-Ryan (Caulfield United Cobras)
- Bronte James (East Bentleigh Strikers)
- Marianna Anthony (South Melbourne)
- Erin Hudson (Senior NTC)
- Emily Heijden (South Melbourne)
- Kirsty Shearing (Sandringham SC)
- Steph Parton (Sandringham SC)
- Emily Morris-Krause (Sandringham SC)
- Phoebe Parker (Heidelberg United)
- Ingrid Phillipe (Sandringham SC)
- Aimee Benton (returning)
- Nikki Cook (Sandringham SC)
- Louise McMullen (Caulfield United Cobras)
- Katie Lee (returning)
- Kendra Jones (USA)
Pre-season: (Three wins, two draws, one loss)
Win vs. Wodonga All-Stars
Win vs. Wodonga Youth
Drew vs. Heidelberg United
Loss vs. Galaxy United
Win vs. Bulleen Lions
Drew vs. Senior NTC
Players to watch: The one clear standout of the group is former Heidelberg United winger Kendra Jones who was absolutely electric in her last spell in Australia. The American forward is strong, fast and tricky and will provide a considerable goal threat for Graham Dudley’s side. Young talent in the form of Emma Robers, Emily Harbis, Steph Parton and Emily Morris-Krause (and many more) are heading into their third-fourth season’s in the WPL system and could be ready to make the step up, while senior captain Kirstie Shearing will be the cool head in the middle of the park to help the younger players find their feet.
Coach comments: ““I am very excited for the opportunity to bring my own experiences of the game specific to females within Victoria and internationally. Whilst we are in start up, there is no excuse that we cannot provide a professional environment for the juniors and seniors at Bayside United. My passion and professionalism for the game and the player management is ready for this opportunity.”
What to expect in 2016: Bayside come well equipped with young talent in 2016, but like any side prepared to give youth a chance, inconsistency is to be expected. Bayside will enjoy some roaring highs, and sporadic lows, but most importantly, a year of solid development in a more professional environment of the NPLW awaits. They’ll be well placed in 2017, but a serious tilt at the title might evade them this year. They’ll still fancy themselves as a chance to play finals football.
Photo: Steve Pinirou – Photography