EFC ladies eagerly await the winter league

After a successful summer league, the Edenvale Football Club’s (EFC) ladies will head into the possible upcoming winter league with bolstered spirits.

According to coach Louis Antonopoulos, local football associations await confirmation from Easterns Local Football Association whether the winter league will run.

“At this stage, the girls are not worried if the association hosts a winter league. They are just keen to play and be on the field,” said Antonopoulos.

He said if a winter league does not happen, local clubs will create an informal league for friendly matches between the various women’s teams from the clubs.

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Antonopoulos said what made the winter league much brighter was that three of the EFC’s female footballers earned selection to the Absa Women’s Regional League.

Two of those players moved up and now train at Luso Africa Football Club in Primrose, while the third opted to stay with the EFC.

On the club’s U14 and U16 women footballers, Antonopoulos said the younger players compete in the Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL).

“The GWDL kicked off at the end of March and started with a bang.”

He said both junior teams are doing well, with the team members enjoying themselves on the field.

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He said the players’ skills are growing and developing, with the girls showing more understanding of the sport.

“When we first joined the GWDL, we knew we would be thrown into the deep end, but I don’t think we realised how deep it was.

“The girls have grown, developed and kept themselves motivated, proving that we have an amazing group of girls,” said Antonopoulos.

The squad is a developmental one because the average age of the U14 squad is 12 years old.

Antonopoulos said although the girls are performing well, he looks to the future to see their growth.

Hoping to develop the EFC’s Ladies even further, Antonopoulos said it needs quality players for key positions, namely, striker and midfielder.

Since Bedfordview and Edenvale News last spoke to Antonopoulos, he said the community support has been phenomenal.

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“It’s amazing to see the girls developing and growing in a sport with the backing of the community,” said Antonopoulos.

“Although we are blessed with the support and the sponsorship we have received, we desperately need sponsorship to help cover the players’ transportation costs.”

For more information, visit the club’s Facebook page.

Alternatively, call Beverley Antonopoulos (manager) on 072 581 6500 or Louis on 082 567 6776 for more information.