Coach Phillips prepares for W-League kick-off

Former NSL player and NSWIS Head Coach Gary Phillips is looking forward to playing an integral role in the inaugural year of the Westfield W-League.

‘I love the role and I-m very excited to see the game progressing as it has in recent years…and now particularly happy for the women as we enter into an exciting new era with the Westfield W-league,- Phillips said.

He is quietly confident of the Jets chances in the inaugural year, with his team boasting a good mix of experience and youth.

‘We will be competitive in year one for sure- Phillips said. ‘For us our key players are Cheryl Salisbury, Amber Neilson, Katie Gill, Joey Peters and amongst the younger members Emily van Egmond.-

‘We-ll have some key players away for Asian qualifiers and other activities, like Sam Wood, Hannah Brewer and Emily van Egmond. So our first few rounds will be the toughest.-

By his own admission, Jets W-League coach Phillips is hoping experience will carry his squad through the first few rounds of the W-League with the cream of his young stars missing.

‘We have key players away for Asian Qualifiers and other national representative commitments including Sam Wood, Hannah Brewer and Emily van Egmond,- Phillips said.

‘Their youthfulness will be missed on the park but on the flipside, we have a wealth of experience with players like Cheryl Salisbury, Joey Peters and Amber Neilson that will maintain a solid foundation within the team.-

Phillip-s is confident that if his squad can ride out the first few rounds and settle in as a group, the return of his younger players will boost the squads performance in the remaining rounds and going into the finals series.

‘I think they-ll be eager to get back and make their presence felt in the W-League,- Phillips said. ‘Their representative duties will keep them focused and I-m sure when they get back they will be hungry to embark on what promises to be another exciting step in their respective careers.-