AFTER a seven-year absence, Irymple have returned to the top of the women’s soccer in Sunraysia.
Irymple Knights became premiers of the 2021 Football Federation Sunraysia (FFS) season after the remainder of the competition was cancelled on September 23.
Irymple coach Heather Stamation said her side, which finished three points clear of Mildura City, were deserving winners, demonstrating their toughness from the first match of the season.
“We were losing 3-1 at half-time. And we came back and drew 3-3 … I thought to myself, OK, this is a team that could go all the way.”
After their season opening draw against Mildura City, Irymple went on to win their next seven, conceding only seven goals in the process.
“We probably deserve (the title) because of the way we had been playing throughout the year. So if it had to end, that’s probably the best way to end for us,” Stamation said.
For striker Argiro Karallis, who had a standout season in front of goal, scoring 29 times in seven matches, it was a missed opportunity to finish the season by playing City one more time. But she said it comforted her knowing the side had remained undefeated in 2021.
“It would have been nice to have that opportunity to play in the grand final against them to finish it off completely.
“If we had won that game it would have been magical.”
It was a welcome return to success for Irymple, who also enjoyed the homecoming of Argiro Karallis and Merrinda Hill after a seven-year absence.
Stamation said that while the side benefited from the rise of younger players into the senior side, the return of Karallis and Hill “made us what we were this year”.
“With them being in the team, it really solidified the actual team and encouraged all the girls to play.”
She said Hill had coached under-16s sides and used that experience to guide the younger members of the side, while Karallis was vocal in her game-day leadership.
“Argiro was very encouraging to all the girls and really (made) sure that everyone was switched on on the day.”
While no team in any competition was immune to interruptions to community sport, Stamation said Irymple were tested weekly as they attempted to get players to training sessions.
However, despite having players living on the NSW side of the river, she said most of the team were able to commit to getting together on Sundays to play their matches.
“Even though they could not train all the time throughout the year they all committed to actually playing on Sunday,” Stamation said.
Changes to player availability challenged Stamation to get to know her players better, but she was able to arrange shifting line-ups around people’s strengths or interests. For Stamation, it allowed her to focus on provide opportunities for players to learn.
Karallis said breaks in continuity were felt hardest on the field. However, she drew positives from the side’s ability to remain resilient until the season was called.
“The hardest thing for all of us was missing out on training because once … you get back on that field it’s very hard … because you lose fitness,” she said.
“(We) had a strong bond. When we all got back together, it was just was like nothing had happened.”
