Left to Right Back: Louise Glodek, Alana Sweeney, Wendy Toon, Lynsay Kinnaird, Lyndsey Gilbertson, Joelle Murray, Jane Doig, Kirsty McBride.
Front: Diana Barry, Kirsty Reilly, Kayley Ralton, Suzanne Malone (Capt), Danni Pagliarulo, Stephanie Allison,
Rachael McQuade
The Beginning
The season commenced back in June of last year when 21 girls turned up to a trial game arranged at St. Mark's Park. The majority had played seven-a-side football and over half had been training at Hibernian Girl's Community Coaching sessions at Meadowbank on Saturday mornings. What was immediately apparent was that this bunch of girls were definitely talented footballers individually but collectively had a lot to learn about playing as part of a team in eleven-a-side games. What was also apparent was that the girls were keen to play, listen and learn from the coaches charged with overseeing their development. the majority of the girls were included in the under 16 squad with the remaining girls in the under 12 squad.Pre-Season
Having obtained a squad of girls with masses of enthusiasm, training sessions and friendly games were organized to help prepare them for the season ahead in the West of Scotland League.League
After a win in in their first game, the girls second games was a difficult one at home against Largs who were a very strong team who already had a couple of seasons under their belt. The girls found themselves 2 - 0 downs at half time but managed to level the game by full time. This proved to be the only points dropped for the whole of the season. As an example of how the girls have improved, later results against Largs ended 6 - 1 and 4 - 1 victories. On their way to the League Title the girl's first touch and awareness progressed and was reflected in the crisp passing game that emerged as well as the smiles on their faces.Cup Competition
The girls had a successful League Cup beating Livingston, Cumbernauld, Falkirk and Kilmarnock in the final in addition to winning the West Cup and national five-a-sides.Scottish Cup
For a team of girls just starting up the Scottish Cup competition was a major success. Having beaten Dundee United 3 - 1 in the semi final, they met the holders Inverness Caley Thistle in the final. The Hibs Girls squad comprised of three U/16's, three U/15's, five U/14's, two U/13's and one U/12 compared to Inverness whose entire squad were U/16 proper. It was however the Hibs Girls who played wonderful football and their passing and movement of the ball was a delight to watch attracting the compliments of the U/16 Scottish National Coach, Sheila Begbie. Hibs Girls were 3 - 1 ahead at half time and after the break hit the woodwork several times. In the last twenty minutes the Inverness Girl's strength took over and they scored 3 times to make it 4 - 3. The girls had tasted their first defeat but each and everyone of them were able to hold their heads up high.Development
Despite the trophy successes throughout the season which are naturally a bonus, the greatest achievement of the season was the way the girls have developed their ability and learned to become team players as opposed to individuals who arrived back in June. This is reinforced by the fact that Jane Doig was capped at U/18 and U/16 level and Kirsty McBride was capped at U/16 level. Stephanie Allison, Diana Barry, Joelle Murray and Danny Pagliarulo played for Scotland U/14 schools. The aforementioned girls along with Suzanne Malone, Rachael McQuaid, Lyndsey Gilbertson, Lynsay Kinnaird, Wendy Toon and Kayley Ralton all took part in the SFA Elite Training Squad at Almondvale on Friday evenings. Suzanne Malone and Lyndsey Gilbertson had a couple of outings with the senior squad. Now that the season has finished Suzanne Malone, Jane Doig and Louise Glodek can progress to the senior team with the other girls playing for the U/16's next season.Support
The team has been well supported throughout the season by the coaching team of Anne McConaghy, Paula McVey and Ronnie Allison. Also the player's parents who have assisted with anything between administration and sponsorship to erecting and dismantling goalposts before and after games.Sponsorship
Sponsorship was thankfully received from the Mortgage and Loan Co. who provided a full set of tracksuits and KoKo's who provided a full set of sweatshirts.Presentation
The season ended with a presentation evening, however it was decided to forgo the usual player of the year awards in favour of each girl receiving a presentation team photograph to honour their contribution in the spirit of teamship rather than singling out individuals.We now look forward to the further development of these girls and all girls who play for Hibs at all levels in the future.