Sunshine Coast Wanderers coach Cory Robbins says the revival of the team is a boon for the region’s talented female players.
The resurgence of the state league side, after a year in the wilderness, is set to provide prospects with a pathway and a chance for them to test their skills in the National Premier League Women (Queensland).
Robbins, who had success with Beerwah Glasshouse in the local competition, took the role at Wanderers in November, to test himself and help Sunshine Coast players make the most of their ability.
“It was the natural step for me, to go to the next level and keep pushing myself as coach,” he said.
“And I knew that there was a lot of talented footballers on the Coast, but they weren’t playing at that representative level … so I just wanted to get in there and get it all going again.”
He said the team’s existence was important for football development in the region.
“The biggest thing I have noticed while coaching on the Coast is that there has been so many quality players just playing at club level, but they could easily progress to the NPLW side.”
“It’s just about getting them to do that and them having the belief in themselves that they’re capable of playing at that level.
“And it’s about having that pathway for the younger girls.
“The last thing we want is them getting to a certain stage and then we lose them to Brisbane clubs. This (team) is about having something there … to represent the Sunshine Coast and show the talent we have.”
One step back before going forward
The Wanderers battled to make an impression in the state league in 2018 and 2019, before folding and opting to rebuild in 2020.
“The program struggled a bit for a few years … so the club decided the best course of action was to pull the women’s team and build from the bottom up,” Robbins said.
“The club focused on the (Wanderers) junior girls last year and all of them were successful. The under-18s were very successful.
“Instead of trying to force it with the top team, the club focused on getting the junior program right and then progress into the senior program, which is what they’ve done, and it’s worked really well.
“This year is just about getting a women’s team in there so there is a clear pathway right from juniors all the way to the seniors at the club.”
Finals ambition with strong squad
The club and Robbins are assembling a promising team.
“There are a few players who are stepping up to represent Wanderers at this level for the first time but there are also girls who have played college football in the States and girls who have played NPLW on the Coast before,” he said.
“Some of them had left to play local league so it was about getting them back into the level they should be playing at. And there are a few girls who have come in from other NPLW and Brisbane clubs.”
He holds relatively high hopes for the team’s return.
“It’s about being competitive but ideally I want to push for a top six finish (amid 14 teams), even in our first year back in,” he said.
“It’s an achievable goal, considering the talent that we’ve had at training and I think it’s good to cement ourselves as competitors right from the get-go.”
The Wanderers won a pre-season game against Beerwah Glasshouse 3-0 recently, in the absence of some key players who were still returning to full fitness.
They boast some match-winners, including Raelle Avery, Chelsea Scarff and Samara Christmas.
Avery is a former Wanderers player, who won a local premiership with Maroochydore.
“She’s got a lot of potential and I’m really looking forward to working with her,” Robbins said.
Attacking midfielder Scarff has also had success at Sunshine Coast level and is a “well-known” local footballer.
Meanwhile, striker Christmas returns to Wanderers after a season with 2020 state league grand final winners Lions.
Robbins, 29, was the Sunshine Coast Football Coach of the Year in 2018 and 2019 and took Beerwah Glasshouse to two premierships and a grand final.
The season is due to start in mid-March.
