Coach: Bobby McGuinness
Home Ground: Wembley Park
Brief overview: One of the three clubs with their licences renewed from the WPL era, Box Hill United come into their debut NPLW season with one of the richest histories in the women’s game. They established themselves as a powerhouse club of the 2000’s and early 2010’s, winning nine titles between 2001 and 2012 in a decade long spell of dominance. Over the last few seasons, they’ve found success much harder to replicate, cycling through managers and missing finals over the last two years. Too early to perhaps call them a sleeping giant, but things are looking good for a return to the upper echelons of the womens game in Victoria.
Confirmed squad (2015 club in brackets):
- Jasmina Pedic (returning)
- Jaimee Williams (Senior NTC)
- Maren Heller (San Francisco Nighthawks)
- Kristina Hall (San Francisco Nighthawks)
- Charlotte McGilp (Bulleen Lions)
- Renee Zairis (Box Hill United)
- Madelaine Richardson (Box Hill United)
- Melanie Camilleri (Box Hill United)
- Elaina Vatcky (Box Hill United)
- Georgia Koutrouvelis (Box Hill United)
- Cristina Cardaci (Box Hill United)
Pre-season: (two draws, one loss)
- 2-2 draw with Alemein FC
- 0-0 draw with Heidelberg United
- 5-1 loss to Southern United
Players to watch: The ever influential Georgia Koutrouvelis seems an obvious pick for her quality in the middle of the park, as will be the versatile Madelaine Richardson, who is one of the best defenders from a technical standpoint in the league. Cristina Cardaci was electric last season and will be hoping to back up her form with another strong season under Bobby McGuinness, while new imports Maren Heller and Kristina Hall will add composure through the spine, although it’s yet to see how Box Hill plan on using the incredibly versatile Hall.
What to expect in 2016: Club stability? Check. Good playing roster? Check. Quality, proven coach? Check. Add to the mix a good home ground and facilities in Wembley Park and a playing group that has enjoys the luxury of having played together in the past means everything looks to be in place for a successful season for Box Hill United in 2016. They’ll be pushing for finals at a minimum this season, but expect a strong tilt at the inaugural NPLW title come the end of the season. We’ll know more when McGuinness and the club release their full squad list for 2016.