A coaching tree full of Whanganui talent will lead Central Football's women's side into their opening weekend clash against Capital Football this weekend.
GJ Gardner Whanganui Athletic 1st XI captain Matt Calvert was named head coach of the squad in September.
Joining him in the management room from Whanganui areassistant coach Kate Bennett, performance coach Lisa Walker and team manager Cathy Norris.
Goalkeeper coach Duncan Muir and physiotherapist Erin Carpenter round out the management team.
Three players from Whanganui - Vanya Apiata-Hodgkinson, Danya Grunwald and Stella Warner - have made the 20-woman squad.
Calvert was approached earlier in the year about the possibility of leading the side.
Seeing it as a valuable and crucial step in his own coaching development, he jumped in head first.
"It is a great step up for me. I was just excited about the opportunity. There aren't many people who can say they have been involved with National League football, whether that is as a player or a coach.
Coach Matt Calvert is looking forward to seeing what his squad can do against National League level players. Photo / Bevan Conley
"It is something as a player I wished I could've done, but the next best thing I can do is be a coach and I am really looking forward to it."
Calvert said it was a relief to have a competition amid the uncertainty of Covid-19 over the past few months.
"What has been great is the players' mentality hasn't faltered. They haven't stepped off the gas with the preparation and they have been very patient. They've had a really positive mindset throughout."
Earlier this week, New Zealand Football announced the cancellation of the National League Championship Series as Auckland and Waikato remained at high Covid-19 alert levels.
Instead, Central Football will compete in a new one-off inter-regional competition with teams from Central and Southern regions.
Joining them will be Canterbury United Pride, Capital Football and Southern United, with each team playing each other twice in a double round robin league.
"It is a really competitive league. We will have to be at our best to be able to be successful in the campaign."
Calvert is looking forward to seeing how his side matches up with some of the country's best players.
"It is quite a young squad. We have 12 new players. They've all played in the Federation Women's League or the Capital-W League.
"It's great to show the pathway for females playing and that there is an opportunity to be involved in a National League programme."
Having a solid Whanganui representation, in terms of both coaches and players, was great to see and healthy for the future of the sport in the town, Calvert said.
"It is quite significant. It is a big milestone for the Whanganui region and it is very rare that we get National League players, whether they are male or female. It is a big moment and we should be really proud."
• Central Football take on Capital Football this Saturday at Massey University.
