Adelaide City Women's Football Club

The Zebras

Adelaide City

Women's Football Club

ACWFC History

The club was founded in 1997 by the Adelaide City (Force) Football Club as part of its' national soccer league (NSL) commitment.

A team was fielded in the third division of the South Australian Women's Soccer Association (SAWSA) and gained promotion by finishing second in its' first season. This was despite the club having to concede a number of forfeits due to lack of players. That first team featured many players and officials who are still actively involved with the clubincluding Fabio Deluca, Stefan Metanomski, Deanna Basso, Angela Sabljak, Katherine Amey and Rene D'arsie.

A SAWSA official was heard to say "a sleeping giant has been Awoken."

1997 Div 3 Our first team ever!

In 1998 the club fielded three teams Division 2, Division 3 and an U/14 team.

The club was again successful with the Division 2 team winning the division and thereby gaining promotion to the Premier League.

1998 Div 2

1998 Div 4

1998 U14

1999 was a watershed in the club's short history. The Premier league team won the championship which was a tribute to the players, the coach (Fabio Deluca) and all the hard work everyone involved at the club had put in. The Division 3 team won their division and the Reserves and U/14's had excellent seasons.

The club had also reached the crossroads in its' relationship with the senior (men's) club and important decisions needed to be made.

As a result of the happenings of 1999 and the dramatic growth of the club it was evident to the women's club committee that new facilities had to be found. After an extensive search, playing fields at Park 18 on the corner of Hutt Street and South Terrace were located. With the support of St. Aloysius College an extremely ambitious plan was put into place to develop, light and provide water to an area which could contain three pitches as well as improve the clubroom facilities.

People like Joe Tripodi (club patron) showed his generosity by providing earthmoving equipment , top soil and much needed advice. Vince Augermeri did a lot of the work on the club rooms. A bore was sunk and water was supplied.

Stefan Metanomski (club president and secretary) worked hard in securing sponsors and in coordinating the works program.

1999 Premiers

1999 Reserves

1999 Div3

In 2000 the club moved to its' new grounds. Seven teams were fielded including a second U/14 team and for the first time in South Australia an U/12 squad was formed. The club was embarking on an

ambitious junior development program.

The Premier league team suffered from the loss of three of its' top players. Christie Moore and Lia Auguimeri - all of who travelled to England to further their playing careers. The team began the season slowly but as the season progressed things came together and the season finished on a positive note. The Reserves won their division (coached by John Zinghini) as did the U/14(A's) (coached by Grant Riches.) Exciting youngster Stacey Stocco won selection and the captaincy of the Australian U/17's.

By this stage the club no longer needed to be linked to the men's club. A strong committee was in place and the decision was made to incorporate the club so as to make it eligible to apply for Government grants.

In April 2000 the club produced the first edition of 'Off-side' the official club newsletter.

2000 Premiers

2000 Reserves

The club fielded (a record) eight teams in 2001 and in every division Adelaide City Women's Football Club finished in the top four places. Lia Augimeri, Eloise Trotta and Sandra Scalzi won the SAWSA best player medals in their respective divisions.

The junior club sent two teams to the Kanga Cup in Canberra. Adelaide City Women's S.C. was the only women's club from outside Canberra to be represented all of the other women's teams were representative sides. Both teams performed extremely well. The U/12's made the play-offs, while the 14's reached the semi-final stage of this prestigious international tournament.

Development continued on the grounds, six lighting towers were erected and the three pitches continued to be improved. The area around the clubrooms was paved to eliminate the problem of mud being deposited in the dressing rooms and canteen. By this stage over $200,000 in capital works had been completed.

At the end of the season the club held its' first committee election and since then many exciting developments have been put into place. Links are being established with clubs in Europe and the U.S.A.. The club formulated the ethos of 'Friendship, Equality & Excellence.' The web-site was established (another first for women's soccer in Australia.)

2001 Premiers

Season 2002 will go down as the most successful in the clubs short history. Indeed, it was probably the most successful season achieved by any club in the history of SAWSA.

In all 5 championships were claimed and the runners-up position was achieved twice. Our Premier team won the Premiership conclusively and the Reserves won their division, as did our Division 2 team and our U/14's and U/12's. The club's Division 3 (Development Squad) team finished runners up and so did our U/14 (Black) team.

Danish recruit Marlene Kristensen won the 'Referee's Choice' cup for the best player in the Premier League and Leah Harrison shared the award in the Reserves competition.

The club's Kanga Cup campaign was nearly as successful as it's league campaign with both the U/12's and U/16's reaching the semi-final stages of this prestigious international tournament.

On the home-front the club completed its' flood-light program with the fifth and sixth tower erected and an underground, fully automated watering system was installed on all three pitches. Finally, the days of moving sprinklers in the summer are behind us.

To 'cap-off' a memorable season the club put on its' most enjoyable Presentation Night on record. Over 320 people enjoyed a slick, professional production which featured highlights videos, music and video graphics.

2006 Junior players meeting the Matildas here and here

2006 Players strip presentation