Queensland women prepare to 'Roar'

The start of the Westfield W-League is fast approaching and no one is more excited about the challenges ahead for the women in orange than inaugural Roar coach Jeff Hopkins. The current Queensland Academy of Sport women’s coach has been charged with tackling Australia’s newest national competition for women. The former Welsh international player said he was thrilled to have the opportunity to create history with the Queensland Roar Women. “It is a new experience for me,” Hopkins said. “A lot of the coaching I’ve done over the past year has been more about preparation rather than developing players. “This is getting back to the kind of coaching I really enjoy. Getting players prepared to compete week-to-week and win games.” The Queensland Roar Women’s squad will boast and impressive array of international representatives including the highly experienced Matildas trio of Kate McShea, Alicia Ferguson and Clare Polkinghorne. Hopkins said with the start of the Westfield W-League 2008/09 season a month away, the intensity levels at training at the QAS had been noticeably increasing. “The players are really excited, they’ve looked forward to this for a long time,” Hopkins said. “The squad that we’ve got is a very strong squad, I know it’s a cliché, but we’ve got a very balanced squad. “We’ve got some very highly skilled players, but also players who have played at the top level and understand what it takes to win games. “Whether you’ve followed women’s football or you haven’t, you will be very pleasantly surprised on the quality and attributes of the players on show.” McShea will be the side’s inaugural captain, with Hopkins nominating the 25-year-old’s natural leadership attributes as a key reason for his decision. Hopkins has so far filled 10 of his allocated 20 slots on his playing roster, with more players set to be confirmed in the coming week. Queensland Roar Women (signed players): Casey Dumont (QAS – goalkeeper), Kate McShea (QAS – defender), Ellen Beaumont (QAS – midfielder), Clare Polkinghorne (QAS – Defender), Brooke Spence (QAS – defender), Jenna Tristram (QAS – striker), Kim Carroll (QAS – defender), Elise Kellond-Knight (QAS – midfielder), Alicia Ferguson (QAS – midfielder), Lana Harch (QAS – striker).

Source: footballaustralia.com.au. image: Kate McShea © Getty Images