For Hibiscus Coast AFC’s Women, the confirmation of their title and promotion to the LOTTO NRFL Women's Premier Division was a reward of years of incredibly intense planning and hard work, with a good dose of heartache along the way.

Coast were confirmed as NRF Women's Championship winners with three games to spare after the Friday night match between Fencibles and Onehunga Sports finished 2-0, and Coast followed it up with an 8-0 win of their own over Manukau United on the Sunday to affirm their league-winning status.

For Coast Head Coach and Head of Women’s Football, Asher Trotter, and his team, it was the culmination of years of hard work.

"We started this journey together four years ago. I came to the club [Hibiscus Coast] with the vision of developing a female programme that was worthy of the Premiership. What excited me about Hibiscus Coast was their attitude and approach to female football equality. The entire club was very values- and mission-aligned," said Asher Trotter.

"Coast had a really good foundational base of players that we could work with. So our strategy was to retain a core group of players together, with a good mixture of experienced and developing talent who could develop together over the long-term. Culture was a massive part of it – it’s a big mindset shift to build a programme that’s more aspirational – so getting people in and around the squad who were really mission aligned was key.”

After going very close to promotion in 2019 missing out on the title and promotion by a single point, followed by the tumultuous seasons of 2020 and 2021 as football navigated the pandemic, Coast are delighted to be moving up to the LOTTO NRFL Women's Premier Division in 2023.  

"In 2019, after coming so close in our maiden season, it built the belief and character in our programme that we needed to go again,” said Asher.

"2020, we come out firing. We won every match fairly comfortably and there was just an energy in the squad and a real feeling that, yeah, this is the year. Then the pandemic happened. Over the suspended season - not knowing if or when we’d return to the grass - we had the players doing challenges each week through lockdown. It was incredible to see every single player buy in and the sense of togetherness that the team had through that difficult time was really moving. They came out of the first lockdown probably the fittest I've ever seen them, but unfortunately the season was called when the second lockdown came around. That was heartbreaking for everyone to say the least. 2021 looked a little bit different for us, ultimately also ending prematurely again due to the pandemic."

With the prospect of a full season in 2022, Hibiscus Coast have been the stand-out team in the NRF Women's Championship. They're still unbeaten having won 14 of 15 games to date, and have left nothing to chance in their promotion push with a goal difference 56. Their only loss this year coming in the Kate Sheppard Cup to the eventual winners, Auckland United.

"My players will probably roll their eyes reading this -- I’m always saying 'one more, one more, one more’ and this season I’ve probably pushed that line a little too hard!”

"Keeping that passion and culture high, keeping the team together through the highs and lows, and to keep everyone really driven and motivated amongst all the uncertainty has been a big challenge. The way I had to pitch it to the team after two interrupted years of football was that basically that this was an ‘all or nothing’ season."

"We have got some amazing people that volunteer so much of their time and energy in and around the squad, which makes a huge difference. Our support staff and assistant coaches, and our group of amazing supporters who follow us everywhere – all such wonderful people.”

Mitch Joint, local NZ Rep Sprinter and gold medallist, was brough in as Coast’s Conditioning Coach this year. Mitch has worked with the girls almost every week since preseason on conditioning and running technique. Coast have also had the help of Goalkeeping Coach, Adam Frisby, who has helped Coast to only concede 7 goals this year.

Coast's last match of the season is against second-place Onehunga Sports on 18 September 1pm at Stanmore Bay – a chance to say thanks to their supporters as they look forward to the challenge of the LOTTO NRFL Women's Premier Division in 2023.

"It's such an incredible bunch of players. They've all kept so much faith in each other and our mission leading up to this point. Getting over this line is such a huge achievement for everyone who has been involved at this club – past and present. We wouldn’t of had the opportunity to start this if it weren’t for such a strong foundation that had already been established by some amazing people and players before my time, some of which are still with us today.”

“This special group I’ve had the privilege of working with this year deserve all the credit. They’ve carved out a new and exciting pathway for future generations at this club and I couldn’t be more proud of, and thankful for, each and every one of them.”

“There's a really close connection between the junior girls at the club with the first team players and we've seen that on matchdays with the help of our Girls Coordinator, Russell Bourhill, and the awesome coaches in the junior/youth space who have also been so supportive. We’re so lucky to have such an awesome environment for our girls and women at Hibiscus Coast, and we can’t wait for what the future brings.”

Coast have their last league match to play this weekend before also going into the NRF Cup Final on 2 October at McLennan Park – the chance for more silverware as they look to finish their 2022 campaign.

Hibiscus Coast AFC Women – 2022 NRF Championship Title-Winning Squad:

Hannah Halpin

Danica Urlich-Beech

Cerys Houghton

Peta Van Hattum

Carys Budding

Rebecca O’Neill

Stacey Martin [C]

Suzy Jung

Rhianna Houghton

Amy McQuoid

Deja Pareta

Christina Longmuir

Ashley Springer

Connie Lawrence [VC]

Ruby Renall

Sophie-Rose Moratti

Kaitlyn Moratti

Julia Pearce

Head Coach: Asher Trotter

Team Manager: Angela Springer

Assistant Coaches: Adam Frisby, Mitch JOYNT, Josh Harold, Tyler Agiovlassitis, Josie Hart, David Springer

Article added: Friday 16 September 2022