Chris Curulli

A local rivalry will be rekindled when Curl Curl host Harbord at Abbott Road on Saturday with both sides desperate for a long-awaited victory.

After a tight 1-0 defeat to Brookvale last week Anthony Seminara’s side are now winless in their last four encounters and have dropped to seventh position.

Harbord on the other hand are yet to find their feet upon their return to the Premier League for the first time since 2008 – their solitary victory this season arrived with a 1-0 win over Manly Vale back in July.

Paul Mulligan’s men have their sights set on avoiding the wooden spoon, with fellow newly-promoted club Manly Vale sitting just three points ahead of them.

However their defensive midfielder Edward Goodall knows the fierce fixture that awaits them this weekend against a team Harbord battled it out within the AL/1s division a few seasons ago.

“Pretty much every game against Curl Curl at the time we played them finished within one goal of each other,” he recalled.

“It always has a grand final feel to it and it is usually a war out there. We’re definitely not on a winning streak at the moment so Curly would be a really good place to start that.”

Goodall has represented Harbord for 17 seasons.

While he admits this year has sprung up its fair share of challenges, he is confident that it will prove to be invaluable for their development in the long run.

“The pace is definitely a lot quicker (in Premier League) but the boys are up for a challenge and it’s been a good learning experience so far,” he said.

“Obviously, your goal is to play the highest standard of football possible and Premier League is as good as it gets.

“We have quite a young side and we’ve definitely progressed from day one. We’ve had a couple of hiccups along the way, but I think definitely when we seem to excel the most when we play the top teams because we always love being the underdogs.”

In other fixtures this week, CC Strikers host Manly Vale, Seaforth visit Mosman, Wakehurst clash with neighbours BTH, Narrabeen meet Pittwater and Brookvale face St Augustines.

Aided by the gradual return of some key players from injury, Beacon Hill are belatedly finding their feet in the MWFA Premier League Women’s as the season nears its completion.

After a 0-0 draw with competition leaders Mosman and 1-0 win in last week’s grand final replay against Manly Allambie – their first three points of the season – Vince Vescio’s side have their sights set on another huge scalp this weekend.

Beacon Hill travel to David Thomas to face old enemy Manly Vale in another fixture that could bear significant ramifications for the title race.

Vale vacated top spot last weekend after a 3-2 defeat to Mosman, and with a two point deficit to recover, know any further slip-ups could prove costly.

Beacon boss Vescio explained how it has been a long way back to winning ways for his squad which was devastated by injuries earlier on in the season.

“I think from now on we will get back on track,” he said.

“It’s been a positive few weeks which has put a smile on the girls’ faces again. But there is a still a long way to go to be back as we were in the past years.

“Manly Vale is always a good game. We are a coming from a bad period and with them coming off a loss we will want it as much as they do.

“We know each other very well so I guess it will be a close game, where they are hungry to get three points off us.

“But we definitely will look to give everybody a run for their money in these last few games.”

Elsewhere, ladder leaders Mosman face third placed Seaforth, Pittwater travel to face Manly Allambie and Wakehurst host Brookvale.

For John Tansley, bringing people together in the local sporting community started as a hobby and a passion – now it forms a significant chunk of his livelihood.

John is a long-term member of Beacon Hill Football Club, currently runs Manly United’s Football4All program and alongside Terry Gatward played an integral role in the implementation of defibrillator stations across all MWFA senior venues.

Through his work with ‘Active Opportunities’ under the state-wide ‘Football4All’ banner, Tansley oversees a year-long program coaching children with disabilities at Cromer Park.

In 2016, John expressed his interest in assisting as a volunteer after seeing a promotional flyer for the program.

Four years on he is now in charge of the Northern Beaches branch of the program which has grown to include 30 participants from the age of 5 to 16.

“We’re a little bit more football-based now than we were,” Tansley explains.

“Pre-COVID we were doing boxing and a number of different little activities for fun and to improve the kids’ motor skills.

“Having the chance to see them play football now is the best thing and extremely rewarding for the family and the kids.”

The program’s participants have enjoyed several exciting moments over the last few years.

These span from playing in a 2019 tournament at Valentine Sports Park, joining Manly United’s SAP presentation day and playing at half time of the Pararoos’ 5-0 win over Canada at Cromer Park last December.

John has recruited a number of volunteers from the local football community, many from Beacon Hill FC – who he has represented himself for the last 16 years.

Coming from a rugby background, his football playing days kicked off when a group of parents assembled the club’s first over 35s side back in 2004.

“We put that team together and then strangely enough word got out and within 10 years we had 10 teams at Beacon Hill,” John remembers.

Tansley served as the club’s 35s/45s coordinator and became the first to clock up the milestone of 300 games in that age category.

It was while playing that an observation he made opened the door to a new initiative that he was to play a significant role in getting up and running.

“When we were growing in over age football at Beacon Hill, I saw a bit of a risk with a lot of players aged 35 to 60 running around on a Saturday afternoon – so we started doing some CPR courses at the club,” he recalls.

“And after the second one we did, the penny dropped about DRSABCD and the D standing for defibrillator.

“With an average ambulance wait time of 10 minutes, your chances of survival after three minutes if you get a defib on is 70% and after 10 minutes is about 5%.

“I started talking to a few people and a couple of clubs bought one to pioneer the idea that we all should have one of these.”

While there were a few tragedies along the way, Tansley is proud to share how ZAP stands have now popped up across the Northern Beaches.

“Unfortunately during that development process two people passed away,” he remembers.

“But eventually Terry Gatward and myself got the clubs together and co-funding through MWFA and the clubs allowed us to build 38 portable simulators across the grounds.

“We had our first save in December in the masters competition at Cromer Park. It was a lot better getting that phone call on a Sunday morning phone to say that a life was saved- that was a pretty good moment.”

Tansley also now works for Surf Lifesaving NSW and in 2018 climbed Everest Base camp with a group of ten as a fundraiser for cerebral palsy.

“It was just amazing,” he says. “Obviously it pushes you out of your natural environment for nine days trekking up and only four days back. It’s a lot easier going downhill right!”

While like all he has had to overcome COVID-related challenges to resume the Football4All program, John is not planning on giving up any of his service any time soon.

“I just enjoy bringing people together for a common community cause,” he reflects.

“I strongly believe I receive much more than I invest, it is so rewarding and you meet so many wonderful people along the way.”

Tansley has his eye set on delivering participants with an experience they will never forget.

“My goal, which might not seem like a huge one, is that I’d like to take our kids to a regional centre for an away trip when we’re allowed to do it next year,” he shares.

“I would love to spend a little bit of money in the country and play against the Wagga Wagga Football4All team as a road trip.

“I think it would be a brilliant experience for the kids to go out there and represent Manly.”

Do you know a remarkable figure within the MWFA community who deserves a profile like this one? Let us know! admin@mwfa.com.au

Mosman leapfrogged Manly Vale back into top spot of the MWFA Premier League Women’s with a momentous 3-2 victory at David Thomas on Sunday afternoon.

 James Spyrakis’ side continued their outstanding 2020 campaign, bouncing back from a surprise draw with Beacon Hill last weekend to secure a second victory of the season over their nearest contenders Vale.

The Whales found themselves 2-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Arabella Baker and Ash Hewson.

Manly Vale pulled one back through a Sam Spackman penalty early in the second half as the match shaped up as a scrappy midfield battle.

Phoebe Pincus made the next breakthrough for Mosman, tapping home a parry from the Vale goalkeeper to restore some breathing room for the visitors.

Georgia Goulding slotted home a free kick from the edge of the area inside the final 15 minutes but her effort was to prove nothing more than a consolation as the visitors held on for a vital victory in the race for the league title.

Mosman coach Spyrakis lauded his team’s effort.

 “We needed to come out 100 miles an hour from the start and to their credit that’s what the girls did,” he said.

“A couple of times earlier in the season we’ve had a slow start and had to play from behind, but the start of this game we said to them how ‘we can’t afford to have that today’.

 “The last couple of minutes were a bit nerve-racking but we stayed strong and 3-2 in the end was a pretty fair result for the game.

 “It was purely down to the hunger that the girls showed, winning every first ball and second ball so I can’t fault their efforts in any way.”

2020 has seen Mosman’s new coach Spyrakis oversee a significant turnaround in fortunes for a side who finished second-bottom last season.

“For a team who obviously didn’t do too well on the table last year to still be undefeated and two points clear on top at this stage of the season is massive,” he said.

“There a couple of new girls who have come in but for the most part, the spine of the team is pretty much still the same and this week they really put a marker down to show we’re not a halfway team, we’re going to go all the way.

“It’s a real statement to the rest of the competition but also just a massive confidence boost for the girls just to reiterate to ourselves that we have the mentality and ability to be champions.”

The result means that only two points separate first and second with four rounds of the season remaining.

In other matches, Beacon Hill finally secured their first three points of the season with a 2-1 triumph over Manly Allambie at Millers, Pittwater accounted for Brookvale 3-0 while Wakehurst and Seaforth played out a 0-0 stalemate.

There was movement on top of the table and late drama aplenty in an action-packed round 11 of the MWFA Premier League men’s competition.

At Narrabeen Sports High, Mosman struck twice in the final ten minutes to deny Narrabeen in a dramatic 2-2 draw.

The hosts opened the scoring early through a deflected Daniel Flew effort and doubled their lead as their skipper Andy Higginson tucked home a cross.

However Mosman continued to fight to the end and pulled one back on the 80^th minute.

A stunning strike from their skipper Jordan Perkins crashed off the woodwork and eventually found the back of the net.

Mattias Zervas then stood up in the dying embers of the contest to finish off the equaliser and salvage the Whales a point.

For Narrabeen captain Higginson, the stalemate felt more like a defeat.

“Both teams played with a lot of energy but it wasn’t a very clean game,” he said.

“Being 2-0 up with ten minutes to go we should not be letting that happen.

“We had another couple of chances to score but on the day if you don’t take your chances that’s what happens.

“I guess with a young squad under a bit of pressure in the last 10 minutes we crumbled. We were looking for a bit of leadership and someone to stand up but today no one did.”

In other results, Pittwater suffered their second defeat of the campaign as an 85^th minute winner from Aaron Peters saw Saints emerge 1-0 victors at Grahams.

The result allowed Brookvale to leapfrog Pitts into top spot after a late effort of their own saw them scrape past Curl Curl 1-0 over at Abbott Road.

In other results, Wakehurst overcame Harbord 3-1, Strikers defeated Seaforth 2-1 and Belrose-Terry Hills enjoyed a 4-1 victory over Manly Vale.

The final four rounds of the competition are sure to be toughly fought out with only two points separating third and eighth position.

The MWFA Premier League Women’s could well be decided by a top of the table encounter between Manly Vale and Mosman at David Thomas on Sunday afternoon.

Only one point separates the two sides who have been in red-hot form throughout 2020, with Mosman leading the way until a shock 0-0 draw with Beacon Hill last week allowed Manly Vale to leapfrog them into top spot.

However when the two sides met a few months ago, it was the Whales who emerged 2-1 victors and have remained unbeaten ever since.

Sunday’s contest is sure to be a high-quality battle between the hosts Vale who have scored a competition-high 29 goals versus the visitors Mosman who have conceded only five goals in nine rounds – the lowest in the Premier League.

For Manly Vale coach Tony Bruzzano, it is business as usual heading into this season-defining fixture.

“We are pleased with how the girls have been playing,” he said.

“Our build-up for this week is no different to any other, regardless of our opponents.

“We know that Mosman is having a great season this year, something that has been building at the club over the past couple of seasons.

“We have a good blend of experience and youth and they all seem to be enjoying playing for each other.

“Mosman won 2-1 in the first round, so our girls will want to reverse that result…it should be a cracking match.”

Elsewhere around the grounds Wakehurst host Seaforth, Pittwater do battle with Brookvale and Beacon Hill continue to search for their first three points of 2020 away to Manly Allambie.

Mosman will be eager to bounce back from last weekend’s match to forget when they travel to face a Narrabeen at Narrabeen Sports High on Saturday.

 After a promising start to the season the Whales now sit in 10^th position after suffering a 7-1 defeat to St Augustines last weekend.

After enjoying a 3-0 win over Curl Curl and pushing Brookvale all the way a round earlier, their coach Luke Tinker felt as though his squad were “not far away” from where he hoped they would be.

He admits last weekend’s performance has played its part in altering that perspective.

“It’s taken a lot of character and resilience to bounce back each week and put in solid performances,” he said.

 “But we are right back to the drawing board after an unacceptable performance against Saints last weekend.”

This weekend Mosman face a Narrabeen side who were firmly cemented in the top four for the majority of the season.

Ross Talarico’s young outfit have surprised many this season and will also be hoping to bounce back from a disappointing result after a 2-0 defeat to Strikers last weekend.

“I am hoping to raise spirits this week in training ready to bounce back Saturday against Narrabeen,” Tinker said.

“Narrabeen are a good team and can really play when they start moving the ball around.

“But for me it’s all about making sure the best Mosman turn up.”

In other action, Harbord host Wakehurst, Manly Vale meet BTH, Pittwater travel to Saints, CC Strikers visit Seaforth and Brookvale lock horns with Curl Curl.

Several clubs within MWFA are set to help turn football pitches purple across Australia during the month of September in support of the Avner Foundation’s #PlayInPurple campaign.

All players who wear a pair of purple socks will help raise critical awareness and fund diagnosis for pancreatic cancer – a condition which has a 5-year survival rate of only 10.7% and claims nearly as many lives as breast cancer every year.

Belrose-Terry Hills Soccer Club Junior Coordinator Sue Potts explained how the club is set to continue a proud tradition of supporting these worthwhile initiatives.

“BTH are backing the #PlayInPurple campaign for Pancreatic cancer just as we have supported the Pink Sock Day for Breast cancer in the past,” she said.

“We are excited to help support and make awareness for Pancreatic cancer. Since sending the information to our teams, I have had messages from club members who have been personally affected by Pancreatic Cancer and are happy that the club is helping support and grow awareness.

“We are aiming for all of our BTH teams to be wearing the Purple socks during September.”

Keep an eye out particularly during the weekend of the 25^th to 27^th September, where BTH are planning to turn their home grounds purple from junior to Premier League level.

The teams love getting into the spirit of #PlayInPurple, with many of the junior squads also colouring hair and faces! Seeing other cubs take up support is also fantastic and hopefully will see the purple socks being a fixture for many seasons to come.”

 BTH and Harbord are just two of many Northern Beaches clubs who will be involved this upcoming September.

 Many more teams including from the likes of Beacon Hill, Brookvale, Dee Why, Manly Allambie, Wakehurst and Manly Vale will also be involved in the #PlayInPurple campaign.

Further information and a club participation pack can be found on the Avner Foundation website: https://www.avnersfoundation.org.au/take-action/playinpurple/.

To learn more check out this promo video below featuring some familiar faces from Seaforth FC and Harbord FC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T6rC6gr1xA

Manly Allambie bounced back from a difficult few weeks with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Brookvale on Sunday afternoon.

 Kyle Cannon’s side returned to the winner’s circle inspired by a brace from Tess Olsen.

Strikes from Kiah Kennedy and Cassie Rodgers put the result beyond doubt.

After weeks of ruing their wastefulness in front of goal, Manly Allambie captain Georgia Thomson was pleased to see her side convert their goalscoring opportunities.

“We’d done a lot of work during the week on finishing and being a bit more confident in front of goal,” she said.

“It was clear we took that out onto the field this week which was really good to see.

“Moving forward I think this will definitely be the starting point for us to finish the season well.”

With five rounds remaining the result maintains Manly Allambie’s fourth position, two points adrift of Seaforth who beat Pittwater 5-1 on Sunday afternoon.

There was movement on the summit after Beacon Hill held undefeated Mosman to a 0-0 stalemate, allowing for Manly Vale to jump them into top spot after tight 2-1 victory over Wakehurst.

The reserve grade competition is even more congested at the top with only four points separating Beacon Hill in 5^th and the leaders Mosman who sit one point clear of both Seaforth and Manly Vale.