Wallsend lost just one game on their way to capturing the Northern NSW under-14 state title in Coffs Harbour.
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It was the first time the Red Devils had entered the tournament, which was held this year from September 16 to 18.
Wallsend finished four points clear of nearest rivals Northern Inland after their seven matches.
They also finished the three-day competition with the best attacking record of 18 goals at an average of three per game.
It capped an outstanding season for the young side, who finished second in the Herald Women’s Premier League 14-years division.
Sophie McDonald asserted herself as a star of the future with 34 goals in the WPL season then added another 10 at the state titles.
The side was co-coached by Wallsend first-grade captains Laura Hall and Keely Gawthrop throughout the season. Strat Kapalos and Jason Harrison took the team to Coffs Harbour.
Kapalos said McDonald was just one of a number of talented young players emerging through their football program and the young Red Devils side had also benefited from additional training through The Wallsend Football Academy, which caters for girls aged 10 to 17.
“The academy was the first of its kind for girls only run by a WPL club,” Kapalos said.
“Under the guidance of the Wallsend WPL techincal director the coaches received the correct information which closely followed the FFA curriculum to pass on to players.
“Every result comes down to coach education and we were fortunate to have a special group of girls that could adapt to our program and come away with the state title.
“We were confident they’d go there and do well, they’d had good coaching in Laura and Keely, and it’s fantastic, the youth coming through.”
The club is already well into recruitment mode for the 2018 WPL season and Kapalos was thrilled to have Marc Hingston back on board as the first-grade coach after he withdrew from this season’s commitments due to illness.
“It’s great to have him back on board. He’s a special kind of person and to have him back and be able to help the young kids is great,” Kapalos said.
Kapalos said The Wallsend Football Academy was open for registrations for under-10 to under-13 players and more information could be sought through wfccoaching@gmail.
Meanwhile, the first NNSW Women’s State Cup was held at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility from September 22 to 24.
Sixteen clubs contested the inaugural women’s tournament, which could not have been timed better.
It followed just days after the success of the Matildas’ friendly against Brazil at McDonald Jones Stadium on September 19.