Western Pride FC is staking a claim for the hearts and minds of the city of Ipswich and the surrounding western corridor with positive results for the local community.

The club is only 6 months old, and officials admit to harbouring further ambitions, but already Western Pride is well on the way to becoming a fixture of the Ipswich sporting landscape.

Despite a rich football history in the urban corridor west of Brisbane, local footballers previously had to move to the capital or interstate to continue their professional development.

However, Pride General Manager Pat Boyle explained that thanks to the National Premier Leagues emphasis on the elite player development pathway this is no longer the case.

“Juniors are a big part of our club. It’s all about the development of those kids and giving them the chance to progress,” Boyle said.

“Some of the talent in the kids coming through is amazing. And finally they have a product that enables them to stay in the area and stay involved in the game.”

Boyle, who has long been involved in the region's football as a player and administrator, also insisted the club had long-term ambitions both on and off the pitch.

“We have the right business model with the right people behind the scenes to grow this club. There’s certainly no half measures here.”

Sunday saw Pride's junior teams line-up against Sunshine Coast Fire at Eric Evans Reserve, which has recently benefitted from a multi-million dollar upgrade to facilities.

Barbara Dale, manager of the Pride Under-15 girls, was enthusiastic about the NPL’s junior development focus and the complimentary scheduling of games across the junior divisions.

“Last year we had to drive to a different venue to watch the next team. With NPL and Western Pride the games are back to back so you can stay on and support the other teams easier,” Dale explained.

Dale also was adamant the NPL was clear step up in quality and that the juniors were responding well: “The technique is very good, the girls are getting better every week and they are very committed to taking this all the way.”

Madison Baird – pictured with teammates Jazmine McKay (centre) and Kaytlyn Ronan (right) – plays in the Pride under-15’s and was enthusiastic about her first season with newly-formed club.

“I love playing NPL,” she enthused. “The coaches are great and I’ve learned so much already like how to work as a team and where the ball should go.”

Baird also admitted to idolising the play of some of the older girls at the club, an endorsement of the NPL concept and the club’s community minded approach.

“Chloe Williams and Brooke Nielsen in the under-18’s are really good – they have so much control and skill when they have the ball. I want to play like them.”

The boys are also reaping the rewards of the NPL’s all-encompassing approach to player development.

Local school teacher Greg Farrell was once on the books at English League Two side Aldershot Town and now coaches the Pride’s Under-16 boys. He is convinced of the benefits of the NPL structure.

“Because it’s the first year of a new competition, some people were worried how it would go. But so far the standard is good and the boys I’ve got are great – they are really here to play and to learn.” Farrell said.

He reserved special praise for the senior Pride teams player/coach Kasey Wehrman who played for clubs in Norway and represented the Socceroos before ending his professional career with Newcastle Jets in the A-League.

“Kasey has been brilliant," Farrell gushed. "I’ve learned more in a couple of months working with him than I have in a long time working with other people.”

“I had some great coaches in the UK, but Kasey has the personality and the approachability as well.”

“He took some sessions with the under-16’s and the boys all enjoyed it. If they had a question they would ask and he answered them well.”

Under-15’s player Harrison Diehm, was also enthusiastic about the benefits of having Wehrman around the club.

“Kasey’s been down to training. Teaching us how to improve and showing us some set pieces.”

Diehm was also under no illusions in regard to the National Premier Leagues elite player pathway mantra.

“This is the foundation of becoming a professional footballer,” he explained, “If you want to become that then this is where you start, in the NPL.”

“It’s good fun playing at a top level in the division below the A-League – it’s really great.”

It’s not just the football faithful responding to the club’s presence in the reion. Local resident Brian Plant chose Sunday to attend his first ever football match – watching the youth and senior sides compete at North Ipswich Reserve.

“We were just driving past and saw the crowd and thought we’d come in,” he explained.

“It’s certainly a good thing that they are using this facility. This is the home of Ipswich football and the people who come here to watch rugby league will go over and watch the soccer as well.”

“It’s truly a good thing for the city and the people,” Plant surmised.


Words and Images: Michael Flynn (Football Queensland)