Matildas coach to attend finals

By Greg Danvers – Bill Turner Media – ManagerDated: Tuesday 4 September
Australian women’s head coach Tom Sermanni will, for the second time, attend the Bill Turner Trophy (Girls) final and third place play-off on Wednesday 5 September.
The Westfield Matildas coach attended the finals, at Jack McLaughlan Field at Edgeworth, in 2010 but was away at Olympic qualifiers last year. Today he was pleased to confirm his attendance at this year’s finals.
“In 2010 it was my first Bill Turner Cup and Trophy finals series experience and I was impressed by the standard of football on display,” Tom Sermanni told Bill Turner Media.
“This is highlighted by the fact that Alanna Kennedy who played for Westfield Sports High that day is now in the Senior Matildas Squad and will be traveling with us to the US next week.” The 2011 Matildas squad was in Jinan in China playing a six team Olympic qualifying tournament.
“Our Senior Matilda’s squad has just completed a five day camp at the AIS in preparation for a 12 day tour to the US departing next week,” Tom Sermanni explained of his team’s current program.
“We’ll play three matches, two against the US National Team and one against Haiti.  “We will be taking a mix of senior and younger inexperienced players. This is really the start of our build up to the 2015 World Cup.
“It will be a great experience and a very tough test to play the Olympic Gold medalist and the highest ranked team in women’s football.”
Sermanni’s timetable is jam packed but he has taken the time to travel from his home on the south side of Sydney to be in attendance and who knows what talent he may uncover when The Hills Sports and Westfields Sports meet in the Bill Turner Trophy final.
And to make sure he misses none of the action Tom Sermanni will be at Edgeworth for the noon kick-off for the third place play-off.
Palm Beach Currumbin take on Hunter Sports High – both sides have quality players for the national senior women’s coach to cast an eye over. “I’m looking forward to the Bill Turner Trophy final and the play-off where we will hopefully observe some of the future stars of the Matildas,” he said.