Guildford City: New Kids On The Block

Towards the end of Spring, a brand new women’s football club was born in Surrey. Ben Gilby spoke to Benson Miyoba, the foundation manager of Guildford City about launching the club and their aims ahead of their first ever season.

Benson began our conversation by outlining the journey behind the formation of Surrey’s newest women’s football club.

“Guildford City Football Club has been in the early stages of a complete over haul since the beginning of the year with new members of the executive committee as well as a new management team for the senior men’s club. The mantra for the club is one club, one vision and one of the key objectives was to introduce women’s football as soon as possible to replicate the growth of the men’s side of the club.

“The community in Guildford has been able to access women’s and girls football at recreational and competitive level for some time. However as a club we aspire to become an all-inclusive community hub that the people of Guildford are proud of and want to become a part of, whether that be on or off of the pitch.”

Launching a new club is exceptionally challenging at the best of times, but doing it in the midst of a global pandemic made it one with unique difficulties, as Benson explained. 

“One of the challenges has been the limited amount of time together as a club during the early stages of setting up the administration and staffing side of things. Video calls made it possible to interview and present the club vision to key people.

“We were also restricted in the amount of games that we could access to assess levels and suitable leagues to apply for. We don’t feel that this particularly held us back but it certainly required us to work smart.

“The initial stages of player recruitment have not been heavily influenced by players being eager to get back. If anything players have wanted to stay loyal to their current clubs and see out tournaments that were delayed and presentation evenings before coming and experiencing our setup. I think this shows great integrity from the players and we have extended the opportunity to trial with us in to July for several players so far.”

Above: Benson Miyoba, Guildford City Women’s first manager.. Photo supplied by: Benson Miyoba

With the new season rapidly approaching, Benson highlighted the key areas they are having to concentrate on.

“On the pitch I see the biggest challenge being that we have no benchmark to work against. We are entering a new league set up with a completely new club and squad. However we are approaching this as professionally as possible and preparing ourselves for the highest possible level of competition that can be put in front of us.

“We have a high number of players within the squad that are stepping up to women’s football for the first time. This is through choice and we are excited to blend them in with the experienced players that we have recruited from higher tiers to give a strong foundation for this season and beyond. 

Off the pitch we are in an extremely privileged position with a phenomenal level of support from the club. The resources made available to us to make this journey a success are more than we could have wished for. The staff and players plan to repay that support through the level of commitment they put in for preparation and delivery on match days.”

Benson went into greater detail about exactly what this commitment from Guildford City’s men’s team looks like.

“It’s one club, one vision. Everything that we have built so far and that we have planned for the season has been done so in consultation with the men’s team.

“We aim to make all of the performance and analysis resources used for the men’s team available for the women’s team. We also share training facilities at the same time on a Thursday evening so as to bring the whole senior club together and feed off of each other’s energy. We see this as a fantastic opportunity to instil a winning culture within the club.”

Above: Benson (fourth left) with Guildford City Women’s coaching staff. Photo Supplied By: Benson Miyoba.

Recruitment is key when it comes to setting up a new club, and Benson outlined how things are going on this score at Guildford City.

“We have already attracted a number of experienced players from higher tiers within the women’s game. We have also secured the commitment of several under eighteens players that are serial winners in youth football that are ready to take the step up to the senior game.

“Our staff team is well balanced with both manager and assistant manager having experience at high levels within the men and women’s game respectively. We have a female head coach and assistant coach as well as our own dedicated strength and conditioning coach and sports therapist for the women’s squad. We also have a performance analyst and kit manager to make sure we have everything covered off the pitch so that the players can focus a hundred per-cent on the pitch.”

In terms of the competitions that the club will be competing in next season, Benson explained: “We will be entering the newly formed Surrey FA Women’s League. We have also entered the Combined Counties Floodlit Cup as well as all other regional cup competitions. 

“This season is about laying a foundation for our goal of two promotions in three seasons. We have every intention of recruiting a side capable of hitting the ground running. However we are also committed to building a culture and a philosophy that supports long term sustainable success and aligns with the overall club vision of growing as a community club.  

“We want to finish our first season with a reputation for doing things well on and off the pitch and being a club that the people of Guildford and beyond speak highly of.” 

Impetus will be catching up with Benson regularly during the season to find out how Guildford City’s maiden campaign goes.

Artwork Supplied By: Benson Miyoba.

Peamount United Set For Champions League Return

by Abi Ticehurst

Above: Peamount United celebrate winning last season’s FAI WNL which ensured they will take part in the UEFA Women’s Champions League once more. Photo: @peamountutd

“We want to give a good account of ourselves, as we’re representing Peamount,” said Peamount United boss James Callaghan as his team’s opponents were revealed in UEFA Women’s Champions League draw.

“It’s occasions like these that I feel it’s important to highlight the need for our league to go semi-professional. A task force should be set up of key individuals and agencies to look into exactly what’s needed to go semi pro with a collective goal to go professional.

“If this was to successfully happen, I believe we would see Irish teams like Peamount progressing a lot further in the Champions Leagues as the Women’s National League would be a lot a stronger, subsequently more of our best players will stay in the country to play their football which will only benefit the senior international team hopefully resulting in qualifications for senior competitions on a consistent basis.” Callaghan added.

Peamount’s UWCL journey so far

In an historic move for the Republic of Ireland, Peamount United were the first team, men or women, to qualify for the knockout stages of a European competition during the 2011/12 season. The South Dublin based side finished second in their group and, as the best runners-up, qualified for the round of thirty-two.

They played the following fixtures:

Rayo Vallecano 1–0 Peamount United

Peamount United 7–0 Krka

Pärnu JK 1–5 Peamount United

With two wins and one loss, Peamount finished second in the table and faced French giants Paris Saint Germain. Incidentally, PSG had also qualified for the UWCL for the first time. PSG secured a 2-0 win in the first leg and a 3-0 win in the second leg, which led to the departure of Peamount from the competition.

Above: The Peamount team that took on mighty Paris St. Germain in 2011/12. Photo: Inpho Photography

Having won the 2011–12 Women’s National League, Peamount United once again qualified for the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the season commencing the 2012–13. They were unable to make it out the group stage.

They played the following fixtures:

SFK 2000 4-0 Peamount United

Peamount United 5-0 ASA Tel Aviv University

Cardiff Met. Ladies 0-4 Peamount United

The club put in a great effort in last season’s Champions League when they took on Glasgow City, quarter-finalists in 2019/20. Club secretary Elaine Harrington described that game to Impetus as being: “A surprise to us how well we did (Peamount took City to a penalty shoot-out), we worked hard to prepare but the fact the girls all have to return to college / work can put a little strain on them.”

Looking ahead to the new Champions League campaign, manager James Callaghan said: “Everyone here in Peamount are really excited to be playing in this year’s Champions League. After forcing Glasgow City to the last kick of the game to bring it to penalties, it was brilliant from the girls, however we want to go one step further this year after getting knocked out on penalties.”

Jets Announce Contract Extension for Ash Wilson

Overnight European time, Newcastle Jets announced that Ash Wilson (pictured above via Newcastle Herald) has extended her tenure as Westfield W-League Head Coach for a further season.

Executive Chairman Shane Mattiske said; “We’re very pleased to confirm our continued commitment to Ash Wilson as our W-League Head Coach.

“The W-League is a valued part of our Club and our community, and we see Ash as an important leader for the Jets and for our W-League team.”

The Club’s first female W-League coach, Wilson took charge of the team last season after five years serving as assistant to Craig Deans.

Wilson is one of two female coaches in the nine-team national women’s league and also Head Coach of the Jets Academy 20s female squad, who play in National Premier League NSW Women’s competition.

Wilson said; “I’m very happy to be signing on again for another season as Head Coach of the Jets W-League team.

“It was an honour last year to get my first opportunity, and to be given the support and backing to build on that is something I’m grateful for and I’m looking forward to the challenge. 

“I think we laid some solid foundations last season and showed a lot of character as a team but I’m not shying away from the work that needs to be done both on and off the field to meet our own and community expectations.”

Irish Women’s National League Round-Up

Abi Ticehurst rounds up all of the action as Peamount United looked to get back off the canvas after their first defeat last tie out. She brings us all the action from the latest round of FAI Women’s National League action.

In the Spotlight:

Despite a fantastic performance from Cork City, it was DLR Waves who ran out 1-0 winners at a sold out UCD Bowl as a limited crowd was allowed into the venue for the first time since the pandemic. The scenes after Ciara Maher’s late stunning winner are shown above courtesy of Peter Minogue Photography.

Second bottom Cork belied their lowly status. They pressed the hosts from the off and kept Eve Badana busy in the Waves goal. It took until just before the twenty minute mark for DLR to have their first real chance when Rachel Doyle’s viciously swirling shot from the edge of the box went just wide of the left hand post.

Waves were looking to play a fast paced passing game, but could not get their dangerous front players into the game enough in the first half. Cork were busy in midfield and enjoyed lots of possession, led by the impressive and highly influential Becky Casson. Despite this it remained goalless at the break.

Cork’s Sophie Liston had a golden opportunity to put her side ahead early in the second half but she missed when it looked easier to score. Just before the hour mark, Liston found Sarah McKevitt who was not closed down and fired in a shot from the ‘D’ which crashed off the bar.

On the hour mark, DLR had their first real chance of the second period when Shauna Carroll hit a long range effort and forced a great save from Cork keeper Abby McCarthy.

As the game entered the final stages, it looked as if Cork might leave Dublin with a deserved point, but with two minutes left, an attempted clearance from the visitors fell to Ciara Maher who took a touch and lofted it into the goal from long range for a glorious winner for DLR Waves.

Speaking to Impetus editor Ben Gilby after the game, DLR Waves head coach Graham Kelly said: ” I’m absolutely delighted with the performance and the three points from the game, Our girls were excellent especially in the second half against a very good Cork City team.

“Every time we play Cork it’s always a close and very entertaining game of football. Huge credit to Paul Farrell and his Cork City team for what was a terrific match and they have shown in recent weeks that they will take points from teams and start climbing the table.

“For us it’s another big three points as we now prepare for another major test next week with the visit of Shelbourne to UCD Bowl.”

FT DLR Waves 1-0 Cork City

Off the back of a late minute defeat to title-race opponents Shelbourne, Peamount United will have gone into their game at home to Bohemians with focus on nothing but securing the three points and that they did. ​​

Captain Áine O’Gorman headed their opening goal home shortly before the half time break and grabbed her second in the late stages of the game to claim a convincing 2-0 win over the Bohs which pushed them one spot down the table. The visitors fought well, but the clinical campaign of Peas marches on and they were able to maintain a clean sheet.

FT Peamount United 2-0 Bohemians

Above: Della Doherty unveiled by Wexford Youths after signing from Peamount United. Photo: @YouthsWomen

Absolutely no doubt that Ellen Molloy was running the show for WexfordYouths in their  encounter at Athlone Town, netting twice with an absolute peach of a free-kick for the second shot. In addition, there was a stunning strike from Ciara Rossiter. Katelyn Keogh made sure it wasn’t all fun in the Wexford camp as she pulled one back for Athlone Town. A closely contested game, but ultimately Wexford looked the stronger side and the score line reflects that.

Ellen Molloy – in outstanding form for Wexford Youths at the weekend.

A surprise to some, Della Doherty also joined Wexford from Peamount United this week.

FT Athlone Town WFC 1-3 Wexford Youths

Galway looked to have all the prowess in their busy fixture at Treaty United, as Lynsey McKey put the away side 1-0 up from a strike, followed by a Meabh de Burca penalty conversion in the second half of the game. Treaty seemed to struggle to find their rhythm in the game, however not all was lost as Gillian Keenan and Jenna Slattery slotted one home each to share a point each with Galway. It’s evident Galway are still looking to find their feet under new management.

FT Treaty United 2-2 Galway

PosTeamPldPtsGD +/-GFW
1Peamount United1128+23319
2Shelbourne1128+23299
3Wexford Youths1227+24348
4DLR Waves1122+7167
5Galway1212-11193
6Treaty United129-25172
7Bohemians128-12162
8Cork City126-12131
9Athlone Town116-17141

Next Fixtures
Saturday 17th July

Cork City v Athlone Town (14:00)

Galway v Wexford Youths (14:00)

Peamount United v Treaty United (16:00)

DLR Waves v Shelbourne (16:00)

Chloe Logarzo: Worth The Risk

by Kieran Yap

Chloe Logarzo (pictured above via Football Australia) has not played under Australia’s new manager, she has missed recent matches, been replaced by Amy Harrison and a major tournament approaches.

This was the scenario in 2019 before the World Cup and it is eerily similar as the Olympics approach. As it was before France selecting her for a high intensity international tournament might seem risky.

Of course 2021 is a  slightly different situation. Logarzo has not only missed games through injury but has not played consistent football since leaving Bristol City in January. Prior to the World Cup she had missed four out of five Matildas games before being selected by then manager Ante Milicic.

In 2019 she was injured playing for Sydney FC in the W-League Grand Final. This time it is combination of factors that have side-lined her.

She had her move to the NWSL stalled by visa issues then suffered a hip injury that has limited her game time for Kansas City.

What is not different is that Australia as in 2019, needs Logarzo. The midfield was overrun in her absence against Germany and The Netherlands. Although there was significantly more control against Denmark and Sweden and even periods of dominance, Logarzo’s momentum altering ability was absent.

Above: Superwoman Chloe with Ellie Carpenter. Photo: Pintrest.

Tony Gustavssson has expressed that he values versaility in his squad. He needs his players to be able to perform in a variety of roles and be able to be tactically flexible during a game.

At different stages of her Matildas career, Logarzo has been named as part of as midfield three, on the wing in a five player formation and played in both deep and attacking roles.

She offers tireless running, defensive pressure, control in tight spaces, the eye and technique for a defense splitting pass and can score goals from midfield.

There are other players in the squad that offer some of these qualities, but possibly only the 19 year old Kyra Cooney-Cross has all of them at once and she does not have Logarzo’s experience on the big stage.

There would be few footballing scenario’s that Logarzo has not experieced. She has been part of thumping wins against Brazil and nail biting finishes against China.

She has played in tight 1-0 and 1-1 contests with Olympic opponents the U.S.A and was the catalyst for Australia’s historic comeback against Brazil in Montpellier at the World Cup.

Above: Chloe in action for Australia against Brazil in the 2016 Olympic Quarter-Final clash. Photo: Pintrest.

In that game the world saw the very best of Australia’s midfield dynamo. Australia’s number six went about changing the momentum of the game, she has the ability.

She set up one goal and scored another to drag Australia from 2-0 down to a 3-2 win before striking her now iconic “Superwoman pose”  to celebrate as tribute to her missing teammate Laura Brock.

Brock missed the World Cup through injury, The Matildas hung her number up in the rooms. “She’s always there with us, we never leave a player behind,” Logarzo told the Matildas website in 2019. Even if her game time is limited, her cultural impact on the squad remains huge.

Chloe Logarzo is a team player who will play any position against any opponent and make an impact. She can turn losing situations into winnable ones as she showed in France.

Gustavsson famously calls members of his squad “Game Changers” and it is a phrase that Logarzo encapsulates.

In 2021, Chloe Logarzo has not played under Australia’s new manager,  she has missed recent matches and a major tournament approaches.

Is she worth the risk of taking into high pressure, high profile games?

She was made for it.

Photo: Pintrest.

Paige Walder – Backing One of The #ImpetusFamily

Paige Walder (pictured above via Saltdean United) may be known to regular readers of Impetus for all of the high quality graphics and artwork she provides the site with via Graphics by PW. But she is also an extremely talented footballer and recently joined Saltdean United of the London & SE Regional Premier (tier five). It is only right that Impetus thanked Paige for her fantastic work for the site by sponsoring her for the new season. Paige spoke to Ben Gilby about her career and goals with the Sussex side.

Paige Walder has been involved with Impetus for almost a year providing all of our graphics and artwork, including our site logo.

Additionally, she has been a footballer for a number of years and in April joined tier five club Saltdean United who play in the London & South-East Regional Premier.

Paige told us about her return to the game: “Well, for the last two years I’ve followed my partner as she plays professionally across Europe. When the pandemic first hit we left Italy and have been in England ever since. I’ve missed playing so much over the last few years and feel like now is the perfect time to dust my boots off and see if I’ve still got it.”

The club that Paige is joining are one who are hugely successful. “Saltdean United are a great club with big ambitions. The manager, Joe McTiffen actually coached me back in my teenage years. He’s asked me every year since he started the team to go and play for him and he’s finally got his way, persistence is key, haha. On a serious note, since starting in 2015 they have been promoted time after time and show no signs in stopping anytime soon and I’d love to be a part of that success.”

Above: Paige in action for Sussex. Photo via: Paige Walder.

Paige has a strong history in the women’s game in Sussex, as she explained to me. “I started football at 12 years old but only began to take it seriously when I turned 16 and was scouted by Brighton and Hove Albion. After four seasons there and I stayed down south and joined Lewes whilst playing for the Sussex county team also.”

Paige then outlined her immediate and longer term aims for her return to the sport: “A personal aim for me will be to get on the assist sheet as much as possible as a central midfielder. With regards to the team I would love to help them gain promotion up to the third tier of English football and with the squad we have I’ve got a great feeling that big things are going to happen for this club.”

Off the pitch, Paige’s company Graphics by PW has provided artwork for Chelsea and England star Fran Kirby for a while and the business has really taken off now as she explains: “Graphics by PW has been going great, working for Fran has brought in other high profile clients like Sam Kerr, Maren Mjelde and a GB athlete named Lauren Jones. With high-profile clients comes high-pressure, but I’m thoroughly enjoying it and hope to continue to grow.”

Above: Paige Walder in action for Lewes against Portsmouth, Photo via: Paige Walder.

“I’d like to thank Impetus for supporting my graphics business from the beginning and now supporting my football too. To be sponsored by a site and the contributors associated with it who have believed in me as a person means a lot. I’ll try to get you all a goal when you come along to watch us!”

As with all of our sponsored players, we’ll be catching up with Paige regularly throughout the season to find out how she and Saltdean United are getting on. Readers can also expect to see more of her incredible artwork on the site very soon!

Above: We’re so proud to be able to sponsor on of our own – Paige Walder of Saltdean United who has provided Impetus with graphics and artwork for almost a year. Artwork: Graphics by PW.

The Swedish Scene

@DandalBs brings us our weekly round-up of all the happenings in the Swedish women’s game. All the Damallsvenskan and Elitettan action plus a busy week of news and transfers, particularly involving Damallsvenskan leaders Rosengård.

DAMALLSVENSKAN:   

Injury ravaged AIK’s poor run continues after a desperately disappointing 4-0 loss to fellow relegation candidates. Piteå. Selina Henriksson, Astrid Larsson (pictured above via Golzz), Jennie Nordin and Anam Imo were on target. AIK have now conceded 16 goals in their last three games without scoring. The sooner their injury list eases the better.

BK Häcken returned to winning ways with a comprehensive 6-2 win over Kristianstad. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Dilya Yr Zomers put the home side 2-0 up within the opening 14 minutes. Stina Blackstenius’ hat-trick settled matters with the other goal coming from Emma Kullberg. Kristianstad’s goals came courtesy of Emma Petrovic and an own goal. Blackstenius is now four goals clear of Hammarby’s Madelen Janogy at the top of the scorers chart with 11 goals.

Above: Felicia Rogic (centre) celebrates her goal in Eskilstuna United’s 2-0 win at Växjö. Photo: SVT.se

Växjö continued their poor run and lack of goal scoring ability with a 2-0 reversal at home to Eskilstuna United. Fanny Andersson and Felicia Rogic were on target. Eskilstuna are slowly advancing towards the upper reaches of the Damallsvenskan.

KIF Örebro earned a superb point against run away league leaders Rosengård after a 0-0 draw. Great goalkeeping from young Cecilia Ran Runarsdottir and ten players defending in the area earned Örebro a share of the spoils.

Hammarby suffered a cruel 1-0 loss to Vittsjö due to a superb free-kick from Fernanda Da Silva in the 92nd minute. It was a blow to the Stockholm based side who were looking for a top three spot.

Djurgården earned a 2-2 draw with Linköping. Uchenna Grace Kanu put Linköping ahead only for Michaela van den Bulk to level. It remained this way until the last quarter. The sides shared a further two goals in a two minute spell with Sara Olai putting the Stockholm based side ahead with Petra Johansson hitting back for Linköping to make it 2-2. It was a very entertaining match, but looks like Linköping are missing the departed Frida Maanum. Djurgården have now gone four games unbeaten.

Table From: svenskfotboll.se

Round Twelve Fixtures:

Linköping v BK Häcken

Vittsjö v Kristianstads

Eskilstuna United v AIK

Djurgården v Piteå

KIF Örebro v Hammarby

Rosengård v Växjö  

The above games were played in midweek THIS week – for a full round-up of the action from these matches, see next week’s Swedish Scene.

ELITETTAN

Above: Jessika Pedersen, scorer of IFK Kalmar’s second win in their impressive 3-2 win over IK Uppsala. Photo: Idrotts Online.

Umeå IK go top after a 2-0 win over an Älvsjö AIK FF side who had been in the top five all season. Two goals in a ten minute first half spell from Lisa Bjork and the prolific Henna-Riikke Honkanen settled the outcome. Previous leaders IK Uppsala suffered an 3-2 loss to in-form IFK Kalmar. Kalmar were 3-0 up after 24 minutes thanks to goals from Kajsa Lang, Jessika Pedersen and Andrea Thorisson. Second half efforts from Hanna Persson and Moa Ohman gave Uppsala some hope. Kalmar’s great recent run sees them just a point behind Uppsala in third. Morön BK promotion hopes were dented after twice blowing a one goal lead in a 3-2 defeat to IF Brommapojkarna. Emma Viklund gave Morön the lead before Daniella Famili levelled four minutes later. Hildah Tholakale Magaia put Morön back ahead before Bromma goals in the last ten minutes sealed the win with Jennifer Sjosten and Mathilda Lindstrom on target.

Latest Results: IK Uppsala 2-3 IFK Kalmar, Umeå IK 2-0 Älvsjö AIK FF, Alingsås FC United 2-3 Sundsvalls DFF, Bollstanäs SK 2-6 Lidköpings FK, Mallbackens IF Sunne 7-1 Jitex Mölndal, IF Brommapojkarna 3-2 Morön BK, Borgeby FK 0-0 IFK Norrköping.

Next matches: Alingsås FC United v IF Brommapojkarna, IFK Norrköping v Mallbackens IF Sunne, Lidköpings FK v Umeå IK, Morön BK v Borgeby FK, Jitex Mölndal v IK Uppsala, Älvsjö AIK FF v Bollstanäs SK, IFK Kalmar v Sundsvalls DFF.

Table From: svenskfotboll.se

NEWS ROUND-UP:

In the UEFA Women’s Champions League league qualifying, Kristianstad have been handed a tough tie against Danish side Brøndby. If successful, they will play winner of the tie between Bordeaux (France) and Slovacko (Czech Republic). The ties involving Kristianstad, Brøndby, Bordeaux and Slovacko will all be played at Kristianstad on 18 and 31 August.

Lots of news from Damallsvenskan leaders Rosengård over the past seven days. First, they strengthened their squad further with two more signings over the past week. First was the arrival of 31 year-old German defender Bianca Schmidt on a two year deal. Schmidt comes from Turbine Potsdam, where she has spent most of her career, including Bundesliga and Champions League wins. They then added Mia Persson, the 30 year-old midfielder who has spent the last few seasons at Slavia Prague, top Czech club and Champions League qualifier. Persson, who was captain for IF Limhamn Bunkeflo during their Damallsvenskan stay, has signed a two year contract.

Rosengård have publicly thanked Anna Anvegård, Nathalie Björn and Glodis Perla Viggosdottir as well as coach Jonas Eidevall for their time in the club before their game against Växjö in midweek. Viggosdottir has signed for Bayern Munich with Anvegård and Björn rumoured to be moving to Everton. Jonas Eidevall is going to take over as the new head coach of FA Women’s Super League heavyweights Arsenal.

The club ended the week being strongly linked with Eskilstuna United’s star player, the 22 year-old forward Loreta Kullashi. Kullashi has been open about not staying in Eskilstuna after this season. It’s said a transfer fee will be involved.

One final piece of positive news for Rosengård was the announcement that Olivia Schough has been named Damallsvenskan player of the month for June.

Photo: OBOS Damalsvenskan

Sofia Jakobsson’s move to Bayern Munich, which we suggested here last week has been confirmed.

Växjö have signed another Finnish forward. The 27 year-old Juliette Kemppi joins from English second tier club London City Lionesses. Kemppi plays often together with other recent Växjö signing Adelina Engman for Finland.

It has been reported by @RomBalland that Amanda Ilestedt will join PSG. The former Bayern Munich defender will slot right into the hole left by Irene Paredes.

Impetus Announces Olympic Games Coverage

With the Women’s Football competition at the Tokyo Olympic Games just a couple of weeks away, Impetus unveils its team of writers for the event and outlines our in-depth coverage of the event.

The forthcoming Olympic Games is the first major international women’s football competition since Impetus‘ founding in September 2019. We are delighted to be able to reveal a strong team of writers based in five different countries to bring you the best possible coverage of the action.

Ben Gilby is Impetus‘ founder and editor. Based in Surrey, UK, Ben will be using his extremely strong links and contacts to Australian women’s football to provide feature articles on The Matildas ahead of the Games and be involved in match reports and previews for the Australian national team. He will additionally be assisting with our coverage of Team GB.

Darrell Allen will be leading our coverage of Team GB throughout the Games. Darrell is the media officer of Wroxham Women and is well known around the Norfolk women’s football scene for his devotion and passion for the sport.

Kris Goman played a major part of our hugely successful coverage of the W-League. Based in Sydney, Kris provided some outstanding reports and exclusive photos for Impetus directly from W-League matches in the Harbour City. Passionate about the women’s game, Kris will be providing previews, reports and analysis of the games involving Australia and New Zealand.

Catherine Pacquette is Impetus’ go-to expert on the North American scene. Living in Canada, Catherine launched her own women’s football platform, HerBeautifulGame. Since joining Impetus recently, Catherine has been providing some hugely insightful and knowledgeable articles on the NWSL. Therefore, we could not have anyone better to provide us with detailed coverage of the USA and Canada throughout the Games. If that is not enough, she will be leading our coverage of the FA Women’s Super League next season.

Jean-Pierre Thiesset, is based in Lyon and has been providing interviews and round-ups from the French women’s game all season long. For the Olympics, Jean-Pierre will be focusing on the Chilean national team for us.

Abi Ticehurst, from Berkshire has recently begun covering Irish Women’s Football for Impetus. She’ll be further broadening her horizons during the Olympics by providing previews, reports and analysis on the Netherlands. Abi is well known for her coverage of women’s football in Berkshire, presenting the Matchfixx podcast and next season will be leading our coverage of the FA Women’s National League.

Kieran Yap, based in Melbourne was a major part of our hugely successful coverage of the W-League last season. Kieran produced match reports and some exceptionally insightful analysis. His review of the W-League Grand Final won plaudits on social media in Australia and the UK. Kieran has a great knowledge of women’s football and contacts within the Australian game and so will be playing a key role in our coverage of The Matildas.

@DandalBs, located in Lund, provides Impetus with weekly news from the Swedish women’s game. Throughout the Games we’ll be hearing all the important news from the Swedish camp both on and off the pitch.

Impetus Olympic Coverage:

Starting this weekend, we will be providing team previews of the competing nations plus features on players. During the competition, there will be previews, reports and post match analysis from many of the group games and then throughout the knock-out stages. Keep your eyes peeled for daily coverage as the Impetus increases for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

KIF Örebro: Aiming To Return To Past Glories

KIF Örebro chairman Frederik Sterngard spoke to Ben Gilby about the Damallsvenskan club’s history, which included a Champions League run which led to financial pressures before rebuilding towards their present status.

KIF Örebro can trace their roots back to 1980 when Karlslunds IF men’s club put together a women’s side. However, as Frederik Sterngard reveals, things changed quickly.

“They did not feel that they got enough attention within the club,” he said, “so they started their own women’s club, Karlslunds IF DFF. They did well and advanced all the way to the top tier league, the OBOS Damallsvenskan. The club is placed in tenth place in the all-time table with 372 games played in the league and 495 points earned.

“KIF Örebro have spent 19 of the past 20 seasons in the OBOS Damallsvenskan with 2018 spent in the second tier Elitettan. Today the club has the first team and two youth academy teams (U19 and U17), and also six girls teams.”

That pathway can see players start at the club from a young age, as Sterngard explained. “A girl starts aged six at KIF Örebro and when reaching the age of fourteen we give players an opportunity to join our U15/U16 team and then to try out for joining our academy (U17 and U19). Then we have a lot of collaboration between U15/16 and U17, but also U17 and U19. And in the end players from our U19 train and play games with the first team.  

“However from U17 and up its only elite players. So we don’t have a senior team for those that don’t make it into the elite., These players go to third tier clubs around us in the Örebro area, same with players from U17 and U19 that don’t make it.

“Our academy also attract players from around the region. This year, we have one of the strongest U19 teams we’ve had for a long time and we have also just started our U17 team. So we are spending a lot of money on the academy. We want to produce good players for not just KIF Örebro, but also to the top clubs in Europe.”

This expansion has been particularly impressive amidst the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic, which has hit Örebro badly, as Sterngard reveals.

“It has had a big impact. It made it hard to maintain operations within our elite teams. They were effected by financial losses.

Above: KIF Örebro celebrate over Vittsjo GIK earlier this season. Photo: Hasses Sportbilder

“However, a small budget and help from the government and local partners enabled the club managed to make it through the year. In terms of positive cases, the club has only had a couple. The 2020 season was supposed to start mid-April, but did not start until the end of June. This had an impact on all the players and the pre-season. It did create some stress fractures and also some serious injuries with a whole season being played in fewer months. In the end we managed to end up in seventh place in the league.”

The club enjoyed their greatest season in their history in 2014 when they finished as runners-up in the Damallsvenskan which earned them a place in the UEFA Champions League. It was a campaign that Frederik and the fans will never forget.

“We had a really strong team 2014 lead by Rickard Nilsson. The runner-up position (with 42 points after 14 wins and 6 losses and 32-14 in goal difference) came as a surprise to many, but a lot had to do with KIF Örebro having both good players in the team with a very offensive playing style. Key players in the achievement were Julia Spetsmark, Stephanie Labbé, Sarah Michael and Sanna Talonen.

“Of course, it led to a place in the Champions League for 2014/15 and that was amazing in terms of experience and brand value for our club. It put KIF Örebro on the map. With a win over PAOK and then playing two draws against Paris St. Germain (being eliminated on the fact that it was 1-1 in the home game in Sweden) was hard. The team with Spetsmark, Hanna Folkesson, Elin Magnusson, Lisa Dahlkvist, Sarah Michael and Sanna Talonen was so good.

“The home game against Paris St. Germain saw us achieve our record attendance in our clubs history: 5,976! We are proud of our effort. We know we could have beaten PSG, but this time it was not enough to play two draws.

“However the Champions League experience was not all positive. In economic terms that season was devastating. There were no money in the Champions League back then. So a lot of costs were brought on and our expensive squad did start an economic down spiral in 2016 and 2017.

“This caused serious economic problems with negative capital, making the club almost losing its elite status within the Swedish Football Association, which could have cost us a spot in the OBOS Damallsvenskan. In 2017 the club did not perform well and we were relegated, much due to the financial situation effecting the whole operations.

“Looking back, that one season in the Elitettan was good for the club. It gave us a re-start and the club started to deal with the bad financial position. A new focus on young hungry players and players that had big potential was brought on as the “guideline” for the sports director.

“We also aimed to bring through more local talent. After two years of losses, the club made a profit again in 2018, and the team also did perform securing the spot back to the OBOS Damallsvenskan.

Above: KIF Örebro head coach Richard Johansson. Photo: Hasses Sportbilder

“This was against all odds. A lot of experts did predict the end of the club in 2017 when we were relegated due to our bad financial outlook and the fact that going back up again is very hard. But we did work hard, cutting costs and also putting our new strategy in to place with a new club director and new coaches. Stefan Ärnsved came in as head coach. He stayed on for three years (2018-2020). Now its Rickard Johansson as head coach.

Sweden has, historically been one of the most successful nations in European club competitions. With the big finances at clubs in England and clubs such as Olympique Lyonnais and FC Barcelona, I wondered if Sterngard felt that it was the end of any chance that Swedish sides have of successful runs in Europe.

“This is a hard question, but an important one. I think we need to understand that our biggest strength is that Sweden has over 100,000 girls playing football. If the elite clubs play our cards right we can capitalize on this, making sure Sweden produce good talent for the clubs in the big leagues. That could mean money pouring in to Swedish elite women’s football.

“We also need to build on the fact that Swedish clubs do a lot of good in terms of commercially. We have now started to see big companies picking up on this, investing in the Swedish clubs. This is a big source of income that will grow. The clubs also have to come together and really see it as a mission for ALL clubs to make sure that in the short term FC Rosengård and BK Häcken (formerly Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC) advance to the group stage of the new Champions League format.

“But in the end, money will make all the difference. Still not that much money is being spent on women’s football, but if it develops as we hope the big nations in Europe will advance. I hope Sweden can keep competing on a high level and hopefully we can see that the big focus on gender equality in Sweden can help capitalizing more money in to Swedish women’s football.”

We then turned our focus onto this season specifically. At the present time, KIF Örebro are just below the mid-table mark. “Ahead of this campaign, we did sign a big talent: the Icelandic national team goalie Cecilia Ran Runarsdottir, one of Europe’s biggest talents. We also brought back Jenna Hellstrom (Canadian national team player) who was previously at our club in 2019.  I would say these are two really special signings, enthused Sterngard.

Above: Jenna Hellstrom – an important singing for KIF Örebro ahead of this season. Photo: Hasses Sportbilder

“Then we have a lot of young promising Swedish players such as Anna Sandberg (local product), Cassandra Larsson (youth national team) and also Berglind Ros Augustidottir (Icelandic national team players). Some other strong names that stayed in the club from last year are Karin Lundin (11 goals in 2020) and Elli Pikkujämsä (Finnish national team defender). We are awaiting Heidi Kollanen to recover from a knee injury. She is also a Finnish national team player.

“This season, our new coach Rickard Johansson is implementing a whole new playing style at KIF Örebro. We are going to play more with the ball and try to build up our attacks from the back line (or even the goalie). A lot of work has been put into this with a lot of new players this year and this new playing style. It made us lose more games than usual in the pre-season period. In the Swedish cup we did not have our overseas players ready, which had a big impact and we went out in the group stage.

“Overall this season, we are proving a lot of experts wrong. They did not believe in our new playing style, or at least not that it would pay off so quickly. We are committed to continue working with our young players (our average age is 21) to believe in their own and the team’s qualities.

At the present time, the club are in ninth place with three wins and two draws from their eleven games. However, Sterngard is positive about the campaign.

“We think we will have better form after the Olympic break. Until then, we have a few hard games against top teams (Rosengård, Kristianstad, Linköping and Hammarby) where Jenna Hellstrom is not allowed to play (due to a red card) that will be hard. We hope to reach a top half position in the table eventually.”

“The Damallsvenskan is always a high standard with entertaining football. However FC Rosengård and BK Häcken are now in their own mini league of two teams as they have a lot of national team players and also big financial resources behind them, admitted Sterngard.

“I hope that the Damallsvenskan can continue to give good entertainment and attract good players, or even be the league where the young talented players want to come and get their playing time and showing themselves and everyone else what they are capable of.”

Follow Swedish women’s football on Impetus each week with @DandalBs detailed round-up of all the news. Every Saturday morning all year round.

Adelaide United Make Major Appointment Ahead Of New Season

Adelaide United‘s women’s and men’s teams have both enjoyed huge success in 2020/21, but their announcement of Vito Basile (pictured above, photo via Adelaide United FC) as new Head of Football at the club shows that the South Australian side are going all out for even greater success next season.

Adelaide United have today announced the appointment of Vito Basile as the Club’s new Head of Football across both their W-League and A-League sides.

Basile arrives at South Australia’s top club with a wealth of football experience, having worked within the national team programs and with some of Australia’s best footballers for the past decade.

Prior to joining the Reds, Basile held key positions with Football Australia, playing a pivotal role in managing male and female high performance programs, including the Socceroos and the Matildas competing at major tournaments.

Between 2014 and 2021, Basile was Football Australia’s Women’s National Performance Manager, leading the Matildas’ operations and preparation for the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaigns and the 2016 Summer Olympics.

He also spent time as the Men’s National Teams Manager and as an Assistant Team Manager with the Socceroos during the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups as well as the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Speaking on his appointment, Basile said: “I’m excited to commence this new challenge at Adelaide United as Head of Football.

“I’ve worked in football for a long time and have a sound understanding of the high performance standards, operations, and administrative aspects involved in the game.

“As a proud South Australian, I’ve closely supported both the men’s and women’s teams since their establishment all those years ago and I want to thank the Club for the faith and trust they’ve shown me already.  

“I’m looking forward to working with all stakeholders to further enhance and to build on the previous strong foundations that have been laid at Adelaide United”.

Adelaide United Chief Executive Officer, Nathan Kosmina, said: “Vito brings extensive football pedigree to our Head of Football role.

“We’re bringing in a respected and knowledgeable football person who has been to a combined four FIFA World Cups and a Confederations Cup, as well as an Olympic Games.

“Vito’s role will encompass oversight of our entire football operation, including A-League, W-League, and youth teams.

“His understanding of high performance football environments is immense and his appointment will take our programs to the next level, as we build on the successes of the past 12 months.”

Ben Gilby writes for Beyond90, Australia’s leading independent women’s football platform. Visit https://beyond90.com.au/

Impetus’ coverage of Australian Women’s Football is supported by The Chicken Salt Co. They are offering every Impetus reader 5% off all orders of Chicken Salt from their website. Go to https://www.chickensalt.co.uk/?mate=impetus and place your order – 5% will automatically be taken off of the cost. The coupon code is impetus.