“Invincibles”: How Edge Hill United women’s rose from despair

After an unprecedented past three years, Edge Hill United women’s have gone from domination, to down-and-out and winless, to now marking an invincible season in 2024.

Strikers' Astia Neckebroeck and Tigers' Shelley Macaulay contest the ball in the Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL) Far North and Gulf women's grand final match between the Edge Hill Tigers and the Redlynch Strikers, held at Endeavour Park, Manunda. Picture: Brendan Radke

After an unprecedented past three years, Edge Hill United women’s have gone from domination, to down-and-out and winless, to now marking an invincible season in 2024.

The FQ Far North women’s grand final marked a long road back for the Tigers – a team on their knees at the end of 2023 – after prevailing 5-1 over a strong Redlynch Strikers side on Saturday at Endeavour Park.

Striker duo Chantelle Ahloy and Siobhan Macken scored a brace each to add to the trophy cabinet once more.

Strikers' Cassie Ross attempts to stop Tigers' Chantelle Ahloy taking a shot at goal in the Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL) Far North and Gulf women's grand final match between the Edge Hill Tigers and the Redlynch Strikers, held at Endeavour Park, Manunda. Picture: Brendan Radke

Vice-captain Nat Ortsac lifted the lid on the Tigers’ tough decision to step away from the Premier women’s league and into the FQPL boys under-16s last year.

A decision out of necessity, after just three clubs – Edge Hill Utd, Leichhardt and Stratford – nominated for the FQPL competition at the start of the year, while eight teams nominated for the under-23 division.

The side went winless against the next generation of male talent, struggling to physically keep up and battling the mental strain to pick themselves up on a weekly basis.

However, the side returned to the premier division with a youth-fuelled punch.

“We were excited to be back,” Ortsac said.

“The season in the under-16s was an experiment that took a toll on our team both physically and mentally. Our cornerstone players moved away from Cairns – Olivia Gables, Taryn Knight, Loraine Paguiligan – for varying reasons. We had a different, youthful team coming into this season.”

Edge Hill United womens v Redlynch Strikers womens at Endeavour Park. FQ Far North 2024. Photo: Gyan-Reece Rocha

Superstar sister trio Liberty Berman-Hardman, 18, and twins India Berman-Hardman, 16, and Asher Berman-Hardman, 16, were at the heart of the sides success.

Liberty was a regular in the side as the anchor in midfield, while India and Asher were part of the youth-fuelled injection into the first team.

Tigers' Josephine Whately takes a shot at goal in the Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL) Far North and Gulf women's grand final match between the Edge Hill Tigers and the Redlynch Strikers, held at Endeavour Park, Manunda. Picture: Brendan Radke

After eight premierships in 10 years, Ortsac said their time away was important for the development of the young players coming through the ranks at rival clubs.

“It’s a testament to this year being a much more even competition. We saw how well Strikers and Stratford performed. Mareeba were really able to challenge us (as well).

“The best thing that came out of us being in the under-16s last year was the development of soccer in general in the women’s space.”

Edge Hill United womens v Redlynch Strikers womens at Endeavour Park. FQ Far North 2024. Photo: Gyan-Reece Rocha

Goalkeeper Ortsac said the year away against strong opposition changed the culture of the club for the better, while getting the team battle-hardened for a return to the premier women’s division this year.

“We had to adopt a defensive style of play against the boys,” she said.

“When we made an error, we were quickly put on the back foot just by the boys speed. As a team, we’re better quality soccer players now.

“We took all the little wins last year, scoring goals, getting a draw, we learnt to appreciate the small things, but we focused on rebuilding that culture, having more social interactions off the field and a real team attitude. Shiv (Siobhan Macken) and Shelley Macaulay have led the charge.”

Pictured: Siobhan Macken strikes for goal. Edge Hill United womens v Redlynch Strikers womens at Endeavour Park. FQ Far North 2024. Photo: Gyan-Reece Rocha

Named FQ Far North and Gulf women player of the year, Macken finished another terrific campaign with 37 goals (including finals), winning the golden boot ahead of Redlynch attacker Amaliya Davies-Scherer (21 goals) and fellow team leader Macaulay (17 goals).

Dean Ashton has spearheaded the women’s program at Tiger Park for decades, and was last year awarded life membership of the club.

Sarah Jones, technical director for Edge Hill United Football Club. Picture: Brendan Radke

Former national junior representative Sarah Jones became the only female technical director in

FQ Far North and Gulf last year, a major step for the born and raised Tully product and a great boost for the Tigers over the past two seasons.

Jones has brought a strong focus to mental toughness on and off the pitch, along with technical ability.

For someone who has had a number of knee reconstructions as a junior, the psychology of rising against hardship was not just learnt but experienced.

“Sarah has a real vision for the club and how we will continue to develop young players,” Ortsac said.

After concluding the season as league champions with 16 wins and two draws and a grand final victory, Tigers will now look to the Crad Evans Shield against MA Olympic.

Elsewhere in the men’s division, Edge Hill will face off against Wide Bay powerhouse Across the Waves in the Men’s Regional Final of the FQPL Champions League.

The side will make the trip south to Imperial Corp Stadium, Brisbane on Saturday, kicking off at 1:30pm.

Originally published as “Invincibles”: How Edge Hill United women’s rose from despair