MWFA

Brookvale buzzing for top-of-the-table clash with Strikers

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Justin Ciabatti, one half of the famous goal-scoring brotherly duo from Brookvale that goes by the handle “Smash and Grab”, is an up-beat and enthusiastic man at the best of times. You only had to see him on the grand final of the Channel Seven chasies show to know he’s a man that leaps out of his skin to face a challenge.

But when his team sits top of the ladder after four rounds and they’re playing the second-placed team on Saturday – and that team is CC Strikers – Ciabatti can go a little off the Richter.

“Love it!” exclaimed Ciabatti when asked if he was “pumped” or “afraid” ahead of the clash on Saturday with Strikers. “We are absolutely pumped and ready! We are 4-from-4 and ready to make it five!

“We know it’s going to be a tough battle on Saturday but our boys are up for it as I’m sure CC strikers will be! We have been working on our team culture and it has really brought us together as a group. I think this will be the difference on the weekend.”

Fresh in mind for the Brookvale squad will be their brave if heartbreaking 4-3 FFA Cup loss to NPL team Prospect United on Wednesday night. After Josh Ciabatti scored from a free-kick, Prospect equalised. Josh scored again from another long-range free kick, before Prospect equalised – in the 89th minute.

Into injury time and Josh scored again! A tap-in for his hat-trick. Prospect, of course, equalised. And then bare seconds before the final whistle scored again.

“It hurt – but we played well,” Justin said. “We pulled up really well. We unfortunately lost but we are super proud of the boys and the effort we put in against an NPL 4 squad. There are a couple of niggles here and there but nothing major. If anything the FFA Cup games have made us a stronger squad.”

 

CC Strikers take on Brookvale @ St Matthews Farm Reserve on Saturday at 3pm. All other games also kick-off at 3pm

Saint Augustine’s vs Manly Vale @ Grahams Reserve

BTH Raiders vs Narrabeen Football Club Firsts @ Wyatt Reserve

Harbord Football Club Firsts vs Seaforth FC Firsts @ Harbord Park

Mosman vs Pittwater RSL @ Middle Head Oval

Wakehurst vs Curl Curl @ Lionel Watts Oval

Tigers wary of mysterious Beacon Hill

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Wakehurst Tigers Women’s Premier League coach Greg Chipman said he doesn’t know a lot about his opponent this Sunday at Narrabeen High because Beacon Hill had a bye in the first round. He does believe that Beacon Hill coach Vince Vescio knows about his team, however.

“Somebody did tell me their coach was watching us last week,” Chipman said. “So they probably know more about us than we do about them!”

“It was a very good win by Wakeurst over BTH,” Vescio said. “The big clubs like Wakehurst always have good juniors coming through. We’ll have to be right on our game to match them. It’s very early in the season and we don’t know for sure what we’ve got. But we’ve prepared very well and we’re excited for the challenge.”

Chipman, too, was very impressed by the 4-1 win.

“It was a great first up win,” Chipman said. “In first and reserve grade. The girls are feeling positive and excited. Couldn’t have been a better start.”

Asked to single out his best performers, Chipman struggled. “Across the squad we had some fantastic performances. Our back four were excellent. Great stability at the back. Lot of contributions up front and some great goals in a 4-1 win. We took our chances which was very pleasing.”

Asked what his team could improve upon, Chipman said words to the effect of “everything”.

“There’s a range of improvements across the board, a stack of different things that I wouldn’t want to isolate as one factor to improve. We’re a work in progress. We didn’t have a lot of trial games and lost some players. But the way the girls have played early is very pleasing.

“We want to play really high quality, expansive football, possession based and proactive in attack and defence. That requires a fair bit from the girls in terms of fitness, intensity, movement off the ball and composure when we’ve got it. That’s what we’re heavily focused on, a fast attractive style of football.”

 

All WPL matches kick off on Sunday at 3pm.

Belrose-Terrey Hills Raiders vs Pittwater RSL @ Wyatt Reserve

Wakehurst vs Beacon Hill @ Narrabeen High

Mosman vs Brookvale @ Millers Reserve (Field 3)

Manly Allambie vs Manly Vale @ Millers Reserve (Field 2)

Seaforth Bye

Let the Kids play – Player and spectator behaviour

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The MWFA and our 17 clubs are dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive and friendly environment for all players, from the age of 6 through to over 45s, to enjoy their football.

 

We are united in our desire to protect the true essence of grassroots sport.

 

Ahead of the start of the junior competitions this weekend, the MWFA and clubs would like to remind all players and their parents/spectators, to “Let the Kids Play” and support our commitment to provide an enjoyable football experience.

 

Over recent years the MWFA and the 17 clubs, your club, have been operating a Team Discipline Point system, which is designed to offer warnings for teams and clubs and punishment for teams (and parents/spectators) that misbehave.

 

Offences against match officials are the most serious offences – and punished as such.

 

Last year a number of teams (junior and senior teams) were withdrawn from the competition due to poor behaviour, which also included the behaviour of parents and spectators on the sidelines.

 

In May, the MWFA will also promote the NSW Government Office of Sport’s “Shoosh for Kids” campaign.

 

Below is the process for teams receiving points, warnings, losing competition points and in extreme circumstances – withdrawal from the competition and an explanation of what offences carry Team Discipline Points.

 

MWFA Team Disciplinary Points (process)

 

  1. a) For each team in the MWFA competitions, disciplinary points will be applied for offences by players, team officials and spectators and accumulated over the season.

 

  1. b) Nominated Offences carry a number of demerit points which are accumulated to the team. The MWFA will provide a list of all offences and penalties each season.

 

  1. c) As the team accumulates points over the season sanctions are applied against the team according to the number of disciplinary points accumulated.
  • Stage 1 – First Warning

When a team accumulates a given number of disciplinary points the team is given a warning including what may constitute further action.

 

  • Stage 2 – Loss of Match Points

When a team accumulates a further number of disciplinary points the team loses three competition points and, at the discretion of the MWFA , may also be required to forfeit their next Fixture.

 

  • Stage 3 – Team Withdrawal

When a team accumulates the maximum allowed number of disciplinary points the team is withdrawn from the competition for the rest of the season. Team expulsion will only occur after the team and its Club have appeared before the  MWFA Board and have failed to show reasonable cause why they should not be withdrawn. In the case the team is withdrawn all players from the team will not be permitted to play for another team for the rest of the season.

 

  1. d) The table below shows accumulated disciplinary point limits for reaching these three stages.

 

Accumulated Team PointsFirst WarningLoss of Three Match PointsTeam Withdrawal
All Open Competitions run as squads182636
O35/45 teams91318
U/15-AL single teams91318
U10-U1591318
U6-U95811

 

MWFA TEAM DISCIPLINE POINTS SUMMARY

Offence Code Detailed Breakdown

offences by participants

Team Disciplinary Points
R1 Serious Foul PlayGeneral Range2
Violent Tackle from behind that endangers the safety of an opponent2
Rugby Tackle2
Violent Charging2
Over the Ball Tackle2
 General Range2-5
R2 Violent ConductHead Butting5
Punching / Fighting2-5
Kicking2
Elbowing to the head2
Elbowing to the body2
R3 SpittingSpitting at an opponent or any other person5
R4 Deny Goal Scoring OpportunityHandball1
R5 Deny Goal Scoring OpportunityHolding, tripping or impeding1
R6 Using Offensive or Insulting or Abusive Language and/or GesturesUsing offensive, intimidating, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures2
Making offensive, intimidating, insulting or abusive gestures2
Indecent Actions2
R7 Second CautionSecond Caution in the same match.1
Offence Code  

Detailed Breakdown

Offences by Participants against Match Officials

 

TD Points
R2 Violent ConductThreatening or intimidating a Match Official by word or action10
Tripping a Match Official10
Pushing with an open hand,

shoulder or hip

10
 

Striking with the ball or other object

10
 

Punching, Kicking or elbowing

10
R3 SpittingSpitting10
R6

 

Uses offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures against or about Match Officials5
Non offence code incidentsDetailed Breakdown Other offences by ParticipantsTD Points
(k) Inciting the crowd10
(l) Attacking or fighting with spectators10
(m) Bringing the Game into disrepute10
(n)  Deliberately misleading the Disciplinary Committee or any other tribunal10
(o)  Spitting at or onto spectators10
(p)  Failure to provide a safe environment for Participants or to maintain public order at a Match.10
(q)  Other offences by players or Team Officials as specified in Match Official Report10
 Excessive Cautions 5/Match/Team1
 Breach of the Code of Conduct by an Official5
 Breach of Code of Conduct by Team Spectators2-10

 

Seaforth beat Brookvale with 3 goal first half spurt

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A first half burst of goal action has given Seaforth a 3-nil win over Brookvale at Grahams Reserve on Sunday. Goals to Abbey Cosh, Julia Murphy and Gemma Woolley saw the game effectively killed off before half time. Seaforth coach Chris Wood praised his team’s energy and endeavor in the first period.

“We played well and scored three goals in a ten minute spell,” Wood said. “All three goals were well taken. One was from a great little cut inside, finished with a right foot. The second was from a corner. The third from a free kick played over the top, Gemma got in behind, controlled it well and rammed it past the keeper.

“The game went flat in the second half because it was killed off in the first. But that’s alright, it happens. It took three good goals to win the game.”

Wood said that similarly to the team’s Challenge Cup games, they limited Brookvale’s chances. “They never had a clear-cut chance,” Wood said. “We scrambled well and limited their chances. We were defensively very solid. If you can stop a team having chances you increase the likelihood of winning. If you don’t concede goals you don’t lose. That’s always been key for us.

“We can improve on retaining possession, even when a game is gone, and not get sloppy. When you’re leading you can tend to over-play a bit. We need to play a full 90 minutes not a solid 45. I expect that we will against Manly Allambie on Wednesday night. If we don’t we’ll get punished.”

Seaforth and Manly Allambie will play each other in the semi-final of the Challenge Cup at Seaforth 1 on Wednesday night, while Brookvale will play Belrose in the other match. Winners of both games will contest the final at Cromer Park on a date to be advised.

By Matt Cleary

Curl Curl get over Strikers at the death

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Curl Curl scored goals in the 89th minute and deep into injury time to record a fine 3-2 win over CC Strikers at Abbott Road on Saturday.

“To get over a good side like CC Strikers who’ve been premiership contenders and had the same side for a while is very satisfying,” Curl Curl coach Anthony Seminara said. “I’ve been telling our boys for a while that we’re a brand new team and it’ll take us a while to gel. But we’ll have a cracking team once we do. Once you start to play with blokes who are your mates, and develop friendships, that’s when you’re formidable.

“And to score two goals in the last five minutes shows character. Plenty of teams, down 2-1 against a good team like CC Strikers would’ve given up. But our boys really wanted to win. And our coaching staff could not be prouder of them.”

CC Strikers opened the scoring in the 15th minute before Harrison Brown equalised in the 35th minute. Strikers went ahead again before Matt Cooper brought scores level with a minute left in regular time.

Then Michael Kemper, who was among Curl Curl’s best, caught the Strikers goal-keeper off his line with a long range shot from outside the box. And there was much rejoicing.

“We haven’t had a lot of luck so far – we’ve missed penalties and hit the woodwork maybe six times,” Seminara said. “So to score two goals in the last five minutes, I couldn’t have scripted it better, While it gave us coaches heart attacks, they’re the sort of wins that fast forward cohesion, morale and team bond.

“There’s a very healthy respect between the two squads and it was a great afternoon of footy against a high standard of opposition. I really think it’s a big result for our season.”

By Matt Cleary

Three local MWFA teams joined by Manly United in FFA Cup

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Three local MWFA clubs have progressed to round 4 of the FFA Cup where they will be joined by Manly United and all NPL teams in the next round of matches, which will be played this week.

 

Manly Vale will take on Illawarra Premier League club Bulli FC at David Thomas Reserve on Wednesday night while Forest Killarney tackles fellow South Coast Club Unanderra Hearts at Melwood Oval on Tuesday night.

 

Both games kick off at 7.30pm

 

Brookvale faces a trip to Sydney’s west when they will take on Prospect FC at William Lawson Reserve with the game kicking off at 7.30pm on Wednesday night.

 

Manly United faces a first up clash with local St George Association Premier League team Arncliffe Aurora FC to open its account on Tuesday night at Arncliffe Oval. That game kicks off at 7pm.

 

Brookvale, Manly Vale and Forest Killarney have won through to the 4th round over recent weeks with some strong performances.

 

Brookvale have defeated Northern Suburbs heavyweights West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook 3-1 before disposing of another South Coast club Coniston Football Club 4-1.

 

Manly Vale have sneaked through by defeating the Kiama Quarries in a penalty shoot out before defeating Roselands FC 2-1 in the last round.

 

Forest Killarney had a first round bye before defeating Peakhurst FC 4-2 after extra time.

 

The other MWFA Club entered into the FFA Cup, Belrose Terrey Hills, was bundled out 6-1 by South Coast outfit Tarrawanna Blueys FC.

Saints on the Rise

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St Augustine’s sit third on the MWFA Premier League ladder with two wins from their first three games. They’ve conceded just one goal, a far cry from the side that conceded nearly 20 in their first five games last season. It’s more amazing when you consider what they’ve been through – and are still going through.

“It’s been a very disruptive pre-season,” Saints coach Sam Panetta said. “There’s not many competitions where you play your first three games without being able to train on your home track. We’ve also had a few injuries.

“But I’m very happy with the group. They’ve come together well and everyone’s going in the same direction, everyone’s bought in. Whatever we’ve thrown at them they’ve dealt with well. And they’re enjoying their football at game time. It helps when you like the guys you’re playing with.”

Yet challenges abound. Asked who fans can expect to shine in this Saturday’s game against Narrabeen FC at Narrabeen Sports High, Panetta laughed: “I can’t tell you. I don’t know who we’ve got. Our skipper’s in Queensland. The goal keeper’s having a baby. There’s injuries. It’s always fun, mate, club footy! Whoever we put out there we’ll be up against it this week. Narrabeen’s always a tough match.”

Panetta’s plan to counter Narrabeen is, effectively, don’t give them the ball. “We played them last year and failed to keep the ball off them. There was a lot of turnover and they punished us. If we can defend as a unit we can limit their chances.”

Panetta talks like his team are underdogs. Yet last start against BTH Raiders they won 8-0. “It was one of those games,” Panetta said. “Usually you’ll play well and think maybe if everything had gone in we’d have won by more. This was a game everything went in. We were so clinical.

“It was a culmination of a lot of hard work. We’re slowly coming together, we’re not there yet but hopefully we’ll be playing our best football later in the year. You don’t want to be peaking in April.”

Yet Saints’ defence is clearly a point of difference to last year. “One thing we pride ourselves on is defence,” Panetta said. “The boys can score goals, that’s never been an issue for Saints. But we’re being aggressive defensively and hopefully it’ll continue and we’ll end up near the top.”

By Matt Cleary

Premier League Games – 10th April 2021 – 3:00pm

Pittwater RSL FC vs BTH Raiders at Kitchener Park Field 1

Narrabeen FC vs St Augustine’s at Narrabeen High Field 1

Seaforth FC vs Mosman Football Club at Seaforth Oval Field 1

Manly Vale FC vs Wakehurst FC at David Thomas Field 2

Brookvale FC vs Harbord FC at Grahams Reserve Field 1

Curl Curl FC vs CC Strikers at Abbott Road Field 5

Seaforth adds goals and fitness to defence and looms as comp favourite

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Last season was a good one for Seaforth FC with their Women’s Premier League team running third and their reserve grade winning the league. The WPL team had the best defence (with Manly-Allambie), a continuation of the club’s strength over the years. But now, in potentially ominous signs for competitors, Seaforth’s scoring goals. Lots of goals.

In two Challenge Cup games they beat Pittwater RSL FC 6-1 and followed it up with an 8-0 rout of last year’s league champions Mosman. For Seaforth coach Chris Wood it doesn’t mean his team is favourite for this year’s title. But it doesn’t hurt, either.

“You don’t know this time of year how teams are going to fare, who they’ve gained, who they’ve lost,” Wood said. “It’s an unknown until you’ve faced them. Brookvale [who Seaforth face at Graham’s Reserve on Sunday], they’ve just beaten Wakehurst. We don’t know if they’re stronger or Wakehurst has lost a couple.”

Wood is right. But he’s also playing coy. Because when you beat the champions 8-0 you’ve shown you’re a threat. When asked about that result in the Challenge Cup quarter-final, Wood said it just all clicked on the day. “We were 1-0 at halftime and then our fitness kicked in. Once we got to 3 or 4-0 they [Mosman] completely tired. We broke in behind them with some of our quick girls. It doesn’t mean Mosman were that poor. It just happens sometimes; they began chasing and we beat them on the break.”

Wood said the club has signed several good players and others have come back from injury. “The whole squad, firsts and reserves, is progressing and getting better each year. Our goal, and it would be the same for most teams, is to win everything we’re faced with.

“One thing we have done well is learn and get better. From round one to round two we adjusted against each team. We looked at their strengths and weaknesses and how to exploit them. We’d lose to a team in round one and beat them second time around. We adjusted to the information received and prepared. It wasn’t just a training session, it was focused on the team we were up against.”

The players bought in, realised they couldn’t win the same way each week. There was also freshness from changing up, from different formations.

Another string to Seaforth’s bow is fitness, according to Wood, who said his team has going hard since January. “They’re set challenges by coaching staff. They’re doing extras. The Women’s Premier League is extremely competitive. Every team is capable of beating every other one. There were games last year the girls came off shattered. You have to work very hard for a result.”

By Matt Cleary

 

Women’s Premier League – 11th April – 3:00pm

Wakehurst FC vs BTH Raiders at Lionel Watts Field 4

Brookvale FC vs Seaforth FC at Grahams Reserve

Pittwater RSL FC vs Manly Allambie FC at Kitchener Field 1

Manly Vale FC vs Mosman FC at David Thomas Reserve Field 2

Beacon Hill – BYE

Female Only Coaching Courses Available

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MWFA is pleased to announce that we will be hosting TWO female only coaching courses at Cromer Park this season.

As an association, we are keen to celebrate and recognise the contribution females make to our sport, as well as develop more female coaches and role models for female players, so we believe offering a learning environment that is more welcoming for prospective female coaches is important.

We would like to encourage female parents, older siblings, senior players and even youth players from U14s and above to consider attending these courses if they might be interested in being involved in coaching. Any female coaches who have already done these courses but would still like to join in to support the event are more than welcome as well.

The courses will be presented by female Coach Developers, and all participants are also encouraged to bring a female friend or family member along to make it a more comfortable atmosphere.

Both courses are completely FREE, and there is no expectation that you will make a commitment to being a coach – just come along to learn about football and coaching in a fun, practical, and supportive environment.

 

MiniRoos Certificate

This course is designed to up-skill coaches of age groups U6 to U11, or just as a good introduction for coaches of any age group.

Monday April 12 @ Cromer Park

7:00pm to 9:30pm

Register here: https://education-ffa.sportingpulse.com/event.asp?ID=23084

 

Skill Training Certificate

This course is designed to up-skill coaches of age groups U8 to U13, and those keen for more in depth coaching practice and learning.

Monday May 10 and Monday May 17 @ Cromer Park

6pm to 9:30pm (both nights)

Register here: https://education-ffa.sportingpulse.com/event.asp?ID=23071