The Women’s Super League season is less than 2 weeks away and the Clarence Zebras will be the team to beat this year.
After the merger with Clarence United and Hobart Zebras at seasons end last year, two key players that will run out in the red and black will be winger/full back Danielle Kannegiesser and center-back Zara Dixon.
I was invited out to Wentworth Park where the WSL team was training today to have a chat to the two players.
Kannegiesser is ready for the season and believes there is no need to alter things for the entire season and would rather take it game by game instead.
“I’m feeling excited to get back into the season and I know the girls in the team feels the same” Kannegiesser said.
“Chris {WSL Coach Chris Hey} alters the team and modifies the structure for every game, based on our opponent and how we can play to our full potential! That’s what I love about our team, the versatility and how week to week we are never complacent always striving for better”
Dixon is also excited for the season and welcomes the challenges 2020 may bring.
“I think we are just trying to work out what’s going to gel at the moment” Dixon said.
“We did really well in the Women’s Summer Cup and we are just trying to push forward. We can test out a few new things and move forward from there.”
Olympia look to be once again the main challengers for the title after welcoming back the services of center-back Maddie Black (St Thomas Aquinas College New York) and midfielder Olivia Bomford (Belconnen United FC).
While giving respect to Olympia, both Kannegiesser and Dixon feel that Kingborough Lions could be the wild card this year.
“I think Kingborough will definitely be the team to beat this year. They have a lot of young girls like us who are always putting up a good fight so they will be one to beat and look out for”
Dixon
“We have no idea how the teams will line up this year, however Kingborough are always a young competitive team”
Kannegiesser
The Zebras first game of the season will be in the Women’s Statewide Cup v Northern Championship side Devonport City Strikers FC.
Devonport have been pushing to be added to the WSL competition and they sure put in a good opening statement of that intention if pre season is anything to go by. Yesterday they hosted Northern club Riverside Olympic and ran out winners 19-0 at Valley Road Ground.
Dixon said that Devonport will be a good opening opponent and hopes they can advance to the Quarter Finals.
“It’s going to be a good first test for us and is going to help us see where we are at.”
“I think after yesterday’s performance they have nothing to lose. It’s going to be a pretty hard game.”
Despite the league crossing match, Kannegeisser believes the Strikers shouldn’t be taken lightly.
” This is such a big ‘first’ game of the season. It’s very important to never underestimate our opponents. We will never take a match lightly and nothing ever comes easy.”
“We need to be prepared from the “get-go” and it’s a bonus to have the home ground advantage at Wentworth Park. If we stick together as a unit and put our practice into play, we will come out on top!”
It’s no question that the momentum of the Zebras has been halted after winning the Women’s Summer Cup in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was super challenging especially coming off such a high from the Summer Cup to keep that momentum going. COVID-19 stopped all forms of contact in training .Football is a sport where you all rely on connection. We just stayed socially connected and it all fell back into place”.
Kannegiesser
“We are all pretty much friends outside of football. Also we have played with each other at Clarence and Hobart Zebras. Our club morale is pretty good at the moment. This merger with Clarence and Hobart wasn’t too hard.We just keep pushing and motivating each other.”
Dixon
UTAS Soccer Club will be the Zebras first WSL opponent on Sunday 19th July when they travel to Wentworth Park.
“Pre season friendlies & the Summer Cup are very different to seasoned games. Friendlies are set to prepare teams and trial new things. I have no doubt that we will see a very different University side come round one.”
“Again it’s about never staying complacent, we are always striving for better, and how we can better our team. Uni have mentioned they have some solid returning players.”
Kannegiesser
One of those returning players is Emma Cazaly who after a two year absence made her return on Thursday night playing in a pre-season friendly v Olympia FC Warriors.
“Emma is fantastic at controlling the game so it’s hard to prepare for the unknown.
Kannegiesser
It’s no secret that with any merger of two clubs expectations are always high, and both women agree that the 2020 season for Clarence Zebras will be no different to that, while listening their own personal goals.
“With a new team I think there are a lot of expectations but personally my biggest goal is to relax and try have a good season no matter the outcome.”
Dixon
“I agree 100%. We are a new club coming together and my focus would be mentoring some of the younger girls through our senior program. To pass on that knowledge to move forward and to help the girls.”
Kannegiesser
Fixture information below!
Statewide Cup R16
Sat 11th Jul
Clarence Zebras v Devonport Strikers @ Wentworth Park 2:00pm kickoff
WSL TAS R1
Sun 19th Jul
Clarence Zebras v UTAS Soccer Club @ Wentworth Park 2:15pm kickoff
