After finishing agonisingly short of a finals berth in 2022, Alamein is determined to go one better this season and once again contend for the NPLW Championship.
Alamein finished last season in fifth position on the NPLW ladder in fifth, ending the season with eight wins from 21 matches.
The standalone women’s club has handed the coaching duties to Keanu Giummarra who has extensive coaching experience. The former NPL player coached Dandenong City’s U/13 boys in 2017, he then guided the Elwood City senior women to State League promotion in 2019.
Melbourne Victory’s Academy then came calling, offering him a position as a scout and an assistant coach before having a brief stint at Alamein as an assistant and heading to Box Hill to lead the club’s U16’s boys side.
Giummarra explained he wanted to ensure the transition was as smooth as possible in his first pre-season in charge.
“Although the club has changed coach and there has been a turnover of personnel it is important we maintain our professionalism,” he said.
“Coming from an A-League and NPL environment I am trying to bring over that professionalism that these players have grown to expect, in terms of changes I think they have been really positive for the group.
“With a new coach and staff coming in it was really important for us to hit the deck early so we got a good eight weeks in pre-Christmas which I know is more than most.
“We headed off to the peninsula for an off-season camp and have eight pre-season matches lined up which gives the players exposure to who we will play against during the season plus other teams and systems.
“It was important for us to get some momentum behind us and be as fit as possible heading into round one.”
Having the majority of his squad together for the pre-season, Giummarra believes Alamein has an edge over the competition.
“In my eyes, we have a bit of an advantage because as part of the squad of 23, we have 21 who have been with us from day one of pre-season, we just have an infield and an outfield returning from the A league,” he explained.
“It means we can prepare with the squad instead of waiting for an influx of A-League players like some of the other clubs.”
Despite being on the cusp of the final four last season, Giummarra insisted his team can’t expect the same result due to the influx of new teams to the league.
“It is important for everyone to appreciate with a bigger league and more competitive teams coming in that achieving the same position is going to be more difficult,” he said.
“You have teams who are coming in to just not make up the numbers, they are really going to offer something in terms of competing for the finals and titles.
“We want to make the finals as a benchmark and have a strong cup run as one side has dominated the cup success for quite a while now so they would be our two objectives.
“I think it is really good for women's football in Victoria and for our girls to be pushed to continually improve. I think we are much more aware that coming into a much more competitive season which is exciting for everyone involved.”
Giummarra was extremely buoyant regarding Alamein’s new recruits for the upcoming season, believing they could help elevate the club to the next level.
“We have been very fortunate to pick up Chinatsu Shidara who has plenty of experience playing in J1 and J2,” he revealed.
“We have had a spread of girls come in from FV Emerging and players with a decent amount of NPL and professional experience coupled with a few strong youth players who are coming in who are on the fringe of A-League train on opportunities.
“We are just adding to the balance of young exciting players who have also then got experienced mentor senior figures in the group.”
With an established core, Giummarra was adamant the improvement from his side would come from the ever-improving young talent on the list.
“I expect Catherine Ranham (check spelling) to be a stable feature in our defence this year, she has unreal composure for a defensive player and has awesome technical ability,” he explained.
“She had a real breakout year with the seniors at age 18 and being around the A-League circles in recent months will only make her better.
“Molly Burke is one who has spent a few years in the VPLW and has not quite been exposed to the NPL environment, she has a really strong future in terms of being a wide player and I think will really turn a few heads in terms of ability and pace.
“Former young matilda Ash Lefevre who made her debut at age 15 is also ready to go. She has been in and out of the NPLW due to being a part of the college system over the past four years so this will be her first full season back for five years.”
Alamein was ranked six for goals in 2022 and in need of more goal avenues to goal the club has turned to Rebecca Saber who has crossed from Ringwood, she scored 30 goals last season, in the Club's State League 1 campaign.
On top of making waves on the field, Giummarra wants to create a nurturing environment for his side off the field.
“We have brought in a former AFLW sports psychologist so we can give the girls the full experience and so they can grow individually instead of focusing purely on results on the field,” he said.
“Offering that mental edge and support was a key goal for mine coming into the club.”
OPENING FIXTURES
Round 1: Alamein v Preston Lions
Round 2: Calder United v Alamein
Round 3: Alamein v Southern United