Ex-Unicol Legend retired this season... I was saddened to see Maria Anderton has played her last game of competitive football. I first met Maria in 1993 when she was coaching my U19 Waikato Rep Team and in the 21 years since Ive yet to have a coach that came close to Maria and her co-coach Jo Bradley. They were tough, smart, womens-football-savvy and fair and their lessons had a lasting impact on how I play the game. Back then, Maria was playing for the Unicol Womens first (I was in the Reserves, coached by Robin Slade) and Maria was one of several Unicol players who were of the quality that earned caps for the NZ Womens Team (4 caps) [Anne Smith (11 caps), Rebecca Rolls (22), Melissa Ruscoe (25) and Jane Smith (1) to name those Im aware of]. I was so proud to be part of a club with so many elite players and I hope that eventually Robs long term strategy for the Womens side of the club are realised - to once more have a Womens 1st XI team that is attractive to this level of quality players who, like Maria, give back to the football community as well as being a drawcard for the Unis Hillary Scholars (like Kate Carlton, Kylie Jens, Sarah McLaughlin (11 caps) whom I believe all currently play for Claudelands). Reading to the end of the link attached, I was impressed at Cambridges touching tribute to their outgoing captain. Club history is clearly important to Cambridge and I hope we can build that culture into Unicol as well. in-the-back-of-the.net/2014/10/22/guest-post-when-football-delivers-a-fairy-tale-ending/
Posted on: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 06:21:12 +0000
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