Surf Coast FC sets sights on women’s State League

TORQUAY club Surf Coast FC has submitted an expression of interest to Football Victoria for a license to field a State/Metropolitan League women’s side for next season.

The application, if successful, would mean Surf Coast FC, the incumbent Geelong Women’s Division 1 champions, would add a new metro league side to its ranks, allowing the club’s female players to take on higher quality opponents against top-tier competition across the state.

“We understand there is a big level of commitment that comes with fielding a metro team, it means every second game is an away game in Melbourne essentially,” Surf Coast FC president Brett King said.

“At the moment, we’re having a lot of good discussions with Football Victoria on the back of our expression of interest, and it’s likely we will have this metro side in place.

“The main question will be whether we field the team in 2024, or 2025.”

King said the club’s female program was experiencing large growth from the juniors up to the seniors.

A new metro side will add to the club’s female player pathway, with Surf Coast FC boasting multiple girls teams over five junior age groups.

King also said a women’s state league side, similar to the club’s senior men’s side, would create an abundance of community engagement.

“We can see a wave of participants coming through our female ranks, and with that comes an increase of skill being observed towards our top sides.

“It now falls on us to provide that opportunity to provide our players with the chance to develop as footballers as much as they can.

“We expect to achieve the first major milestone in the next couple of months once we gauge the participation of the new side and put in place the correct coaching mechanisms, prior to our final submission to Football Victoria.”

State League promotions playoffs arrive for men

Surf Coast FC’s journey to State League 3 will go through Epping when the club’s senior men’s side faces off with Brunswick Zebras FC this afternoon (Saturday, September 2) in the first of two playoff promotion games.

The Coasters, led by head coach Ash Dafter, secured second position on the Men’s State League 4 West ladder last weekend, finishing the campaign with 17 wins, three losses and two draws (53 points), just one point off Laverton FC.

Dafter’s side will now need to defeat the Zebras at Epping Stadium to progress to the next playoff contest in the hopes of joining State League 3 in 2024.

King said it might be a fair journey to Epping, but he was confident plenty of Surf Coast FC fans would make the drive up the highway to see their side.

“Our senior men achieved our highest ever points finish in the club’s history and we’re ecstatic at the strides they’ve made in 2023.

“The quality of football they’ve played has been amazing and to make the playoffs for promotion is an amazing thing for the club.

“The passion in the game will be amazing, as will the quality of football.

“We’ve got a good group of supporters, and some ex-players based in Melbourne, and I have no doubts we’ll have a dedicated contingent of fans in the stands on the day.”

Surf Coast FC and Brunswick Zebras kick off at 11.30am this Saturday. The winner will play in the second of two play-off promotion games next weekend.