Parkdale Vultures women’s team has propelled themselves into their third straight grand final with an exciting win over Albert Park in Saturdays Preliminary Final at Elsternwick Park.
The win sets up a Grand Final clash with ladder leaders Williamstown at 11:45am on Sunday, again at Elsternwick Park.
Whilst there are plenty of familiar faces in the group, Coach Steve Burgess’s side has undergone a transition in 2023 with the lure of the European summer presenting an opportunity to many of the girls from pervious that was too good to refuse. But with every challenge comes and opportunity and this team has certainly taken that opportunity.
After Saturday’s win Burgess noted “It’s a fantastic result for the girls over the last three years with making the grand final with our next challenge on Sunday . Even though our playing team has changed the leadership from our core group has been outstanding”. He credits a lot of the success to those around him, even Terry Symons sometimes gets praise (not too often), highlighting the efforts of assistant coaches Izzy Geleit and Mark Allen for their contributions, both on game day and in the development of the team and its culture. “Izzy moving into assistant coach has really helped in the development of our newer players with Mark mentoring and focusing on game day strategy. The work that has gone into changing up our set plays and managing our rotations has given our club great success not to mention the great social aspect the girls have brought to the club. Our coaching team and the girls really work together to get the best out of everyone each and every week”.
Burgess encapsulates his efforts in a simple way “I am proud to have coached them for the last fours at Parkdale and have seen the team go from strength to strength each season. Good luck to all our girls on Sunday”.
Not to let Steve steal all the attention, we managed to have a chat with Assistant Coach Izzy Geleit to go through her thoughts on the season and the challenge ahead this Sunday. Once we got past her talking about how she was actually the mastermind of the success and that Steve was just the figurehead (please note that this is a poor attempt at humour and Izzy did not say this at all), we managed to find out more about Season 2023. It is clear that Geleit has been a positive influence on this team, “What a year it’s been! We started this year with so many fresh faces in the playing group, some from other clubs and others who have never played before. Our girls were quick to take them in and show them the vulture way, and soon enough, we were back to our best. We have been so lucky to gain these girls, without them, I don’t think we would have made it this far this year! We’ve had a few ups and downs throughout the year, with lots of girls luckily making the most of a European summer, but when push came to shove, they were able to come together and play as one to get us to our 3rd grand final!”. It has been great for the Vultures to see someone like Izzy step into a coaching role this season which is highlighted by her attitude to the team “I’ve loved stepping into a coaching role and it’s been wonderful to see all the girls develop their skills and footy knowledge. I’m so proud of the girls for all of their hard work and determination this season. I can’t wait to see them give it their all against Williamstown! Go vultures”.
Whilst Burgess was keen to direct the focus to those around him, we couldn’t let this chance to pass the amazing effort Steve, and all those who have helped him have done with re-establishing a Women’s Football Program at Parkdale. Steve has certainly not done this alone with so many great people volunteering their time to support the Women’s program and without these people this success just cant happen. Parkdale had a Women’s team many years ago and Steve and his Team have bought them back to be, not only successful on the field, but to be a huge asset of this great Club.
Good Luck to all those playing on Sunday and go out there and give it your all.
We look forward to see plenty of Vultures out there to support the girls.
Women’s Division 2 Grand Final
Parkdale Vultures vs Williamstown CYMS
Elsternwick Park – Oval 1
Sunday 3 September 2023 – 11:45am