Triple header for Athletic women

Wanganui Athletic women claim three trophies this season.

Coach Gary MacKenzie has downplayed his role in guiding the Wanganui Athletic women to three titles this season.

The Athletic Football Club side claimed the James Cup, the Women's Champion League title and the Senior Cup (beating Wanganui City on goal difference) in MacKenzie's debut season at the helm.

Last year he co-coached the Wanganui City women to the same three trophies with Blair Davidson.

However, MacKenzie is adamant that team culture, team belief and a strong will to succeed were the main driving forces at play.

"I came in on a mission to improve the team's position last year when they didn't make the top four - the rest they did themselves," MacKenzie said.

While they did not go through the season unbeaten, MacKenzie concedes they were "close to dominant".

Focusing on three different competitions was not easy, but winning all three was hugely satisfying.

The James Cup is awarded to the victors of a tournament between all club and school sides competing, while the Women's Champions League is a competition featuring sides from Wanganui Athletic, Wanganui City, the River City Scrappers and Collegiate School.
The Senior Cup is competed for by club sides only.

"We did have a few girls from the Federation Cup played on Sunday join us on occasion and that certainly helped," MacKenzie said.

"The side this season was a mix of experienced and not-so-experienced players and they really did gel. There was a great team spirit and a will to succeed. I did co-coach City to win the same trophies last year with Blair Davidson, but I don't think it was necessarily my coaching that resulted in Athletic's success this year.

"These girls wanted it. All I wanted to do was improve their position from last season when I don't think they even made the top four. Winning this year was extremely satisfying," MacKenzie said.