About
RLWSC
Image: Multimedia Solutions
Founders included Norma Geribo
in the beginning
The origins of Russell Lea Women’s began with the Five Dock Club in about 1974. A group of women led by the club’s founders, including Norma Geribo (pictured), formed an all age ladies team.
The early days with the Five Dock club lasted until around the mid 1980’s when the women decided to go out on their own.
This gave them the chance to develop their own culture and promote women’s soccer away from the strong influence of the much bigger men’s club.
The Russell Lea Women’s Soccer Club was formed in 1986/7. It was at this time that the club’s founders became aware of the stronger women’s and girls’ soccer competition in the Gladesville-Hornsby District Football Association (which in time became North-West Sydney Women’s Soccer).
As the club was beginning afresh, it was accepted as a member of the burgeoning Gladesville-Hornsby Women’s competition. The club at this time saw the opportunity to grow and promote girls’ soccer as well.
By 1987, Russell Lea Women’s Soccer Club had four teams in Under 13’s, Under 15’s and All Ages.
The Club’s Colours and logo…
The fledgling Russell Lea Club needed to come up with a new strip and logo when it was founded. Discarding the old green and gold Five Dock colours, the new strip was white with navy trim and white shorts.
Soon, this was replaced with the reverse of navy blue strip with white trim and navy shorts. These traditional colours have been kept until today.
The logo (pictured) underwent an evolutionary change 2006 and saw the addition of pink to the club colours. 2020 brings version three of the Russell Lea Women’s Soccer Club logo. The colours remain the same, but the layout, modernised.
2006 Logo
Russell Lea today…
Following its move to the Canterbury District Soccer Football Association in 2006, the club has undergone a number of big changes. The most obvious being the requirement to find and manage a home ground. This was found at Queen Elizabeth Park, Concord. The efforts on the part of club officials, players and parents in making this new responsibility work was outstanding. We also recognise the important contribution our sponsors play and thank them for their contributions.
Nearly all of the other clubs in the NWSWS and CDSFA are a part of existing men’s clubs. This is a great distinction for Russell Lea. As can be seen from this brief history, the club’s genesis was in promoting football for women.
We have developed a set of values which expresses this difference at Russell Lea. We are also promoting the ‘beautiful game’ for women and girls in the district, centering our efforts on the wonderful facilities at Queen Elizabeth Park.
OUR mission is:
1.
To provide a safe, supportive and fun environment for girls and women from the local area to enjoy soccer while improving their skills
2.
To assist young girls and women to develop into strong, healthy, respected members of society
3.
To promote and stimulate female youth development within the local area
4.
To assist young girls and women from the local area to develop their characters, build self-confidence and develop their sense and value of sportsmanship and comradeship
The Committee
PRESIDENT
Mariam Fabia
Contact for:
Club questions, comments or concerns which don’t fit into the categories below
Frank Vidovic
Kim Ralley
SENIORS COORDINATOR
Sandra Russo
Contact for:
Questions, queries & comments in regards to players/teams in WIL, All Ages and Over 35's
JUNIOR COORDINATOR & PUBLIC OFFICER
Frank Vidovic
Contact for:
Questions, queries & comments in regards to players/teams from Minitildas through to U16’s
COMPETITION SECRETARY
Kat Wang & Sandra Russo
CLUB COACHING COORDINATOR
Jodie Finn
Contact for:
Anything coaching related
AWARDS
President's Award
Awarded to a member of the club who has gone above and beyond to assist the President and wider club community.
2023 - Ben Laws
2022 - Sandra Russo
2020 - KT Wlodarczyk
2019 - Frank Vidovic
2018 - Danielle North
2017 - Matt Montgomery
2016 - Craig Kann
2015 - Giugni Family
2014 - KT Wlodarczyk
2013 - Ruby Blinkhorn
2012 - Helena Miller
2011- Robert Trainor
2010 - Jenny Hart
2009 - Leah Wilson
2008 - Richard Scandizzio
2007 - Kaiya Robertson
2006 - Jodie Wilson Fawkes
2005 - Conor & Ciara Rowntree
2004 - No recipent
2003 - Rebecca Ginty
2002 - Kathryn Griffiths
Life Members
2018 - Rosa Camelleri
Beryl Crockford Memorial Trophy
Awarded to a team or individual that embodies the values of Club Spirit, Integrity and fair play. It is presented as a memorial to Beryl Crockford a member of our over 30/2 team who lost her life tragically in a cycling accident.
2020 - AAW4A 'Pink Panthers'
In the face of numerous challenges and adversity both on and off the field, the newly formed Pink Panthers demonstrated positive sportsmanship and integrity.
2018 - Rosa Camelleri
Rosa volunteered to coach her daughter’s Under 10 team in 2018 and then thought she may as well play herself to gain more understanding and skills and to set a good example to her daughter and the girls she coached.
Cec Barlow Award (awarded by the CDSFA)
CDSFA Executive believes it is vital to recognise individuals who have provided consistent and invaluable service at Club and/or Association level over a number of years.
These contributions may be as coach, manager, trainer, administrator, official, president, secretary, competition secretary, treasurer, registrar, canteen manager, committee member, grounds person or a combination of these.
2023 - Frank Vidovic
2022 - KT Wlodarczyk
2018 - Jenny Hart
2017 - Chris Farrelly
2016 - Bob Chambers
2014 - Trevor Bell
2013 - Jodie Wilson
Life Members
To recognise the valuable contribution of individuals to the current and future existence of the Club. Individuals who have demonstrated significant, sustained and high-quality service enhancing the reputation and future of the overall Club.
Jodie Wilson