ACE Women are up for the Kappa Cup tomorrow with the “core group” back in the red and black again.
More than a dozen of last season’s squad has returned and coach Jamie Sanckson has added new faces in readiness for the FQPL2.
But first ACE have a date with Mt Gravatt in the Kappa Women’s Super Cup at Wolter Park on Sunday, kick-off 4pm.
It will be a good early test against one of the few sides to take points off ACE in Capital League 1 last season.
“Mt Gravatt gave us two difficult games last year and we are very much expecting the same again this weekend,” said coach Jamie Sanckson.
“I’m expecting one or two players to debut in that game and really looking forward to seeing the impact they will have.”
Returning players from 2021 include captain Morgan Schoener, Chloe Globke, Lex Ball, Victoria Brebner, Morgan-Lee Martin, Mykaela Rolls, Jorja Rolls, Tiarna Toye, Bec Voigt, Caitlin Watts and Bronte Geddes.
Retaining so many players from 2021 “gives us a really good foundation to work with”, Jamie said.
“It helps us in the fact that the core group already had a good understanding of how we want to play, their jobs and each other’ s role in the team.
“I think it’s great credit to the club, coaching staff and the girls to have such a high number of players returning, from both the first team and under 23s.
“We’ve also managed to re-sign goalkeeper Jess Broadfoot (from 2020) and that gives us great experience and ability in goal.
“We’ve bought in three or four new faces that are going to bring real quality and depth to the squad – and they’ve fitted straight in to the setup.”
ACE had a “really good break” over the summer and the players are now “hungry to get back into it”, Jamie said.
“It’s great to see 30 players between the two squads at training really pushing each other. The intensity has been very good.”
