Coach: TBA
2014 finish: 9th Last season saw a marked improvement from the NTC U17 Girls over the previous year which really underpinned their progress both tactically and physically. Joe Montemurro brought structure and consistency to the group and has created a very solid base for the program to go the next step in 2015.
Testimony to their turnaround in season 2014 was a resounding Round 12 win over Sandringham, to the tune of 2-0 after being crushed 6 -1 in the first season opener. As the season progressed, NTC really troubled some of the top four teams with their silky skills and speed across the pitch. They gave South Melbourne and Bundoora a run for their money in Round’s 15 and 16 while defeating Box Hill and Cairnlea convincingly as the season came to a close.
Players to watch: Graduating from the 2014 NTC squad were Beattie Goad, Guilia Sepe and Maddie Stockdale all moving across to Bulleen while Jess Pitts moves to Bundoora to bolster the midfield.
With only five of the 2014 team returning to the NTC, this team will be a very young roster in 2015. Australian U16 representatives Adriana and Melissa Taranto and Lexi Anastassiou are expected to control the midfield and cause concern for opposing teams. Talented Bulleen right back Olivia Ellis caught the eye of the NTC selection panel and was invited back to the NTC while up forward Emily Harbis and Anabel Martin are expected to contribute to the score line throughout the year ahead.
What to expect in 2015: As gazetted, the NTC Academy is designed to act as a possible pathway for young females to play W-League and potentially on the national stage and their participation in the WPL provides a yardstick for them to measure their progress in the lead up to the NTC Challenge in Canberra.
The NTC style of play is coupled with the Australian national curriculum designed to perfect and accelerate skill development and there’s little doubt that this talented group of young girls will again be pressing the top of the table teams in 2015.
Coaches will need to be on-alert when coming up against the talented NTC team in 2015. Expect them to again play very attractive football with great purpose, with development the focus.
Photo: Stocky’s Scribbles