Hibernian vs Spartans - 23/02/2020 - Season 2020 Issue 1 by Stock

HIBERNIAN vs SPARTANS 23.02.2020

SEASON 2020 ISSUE 1

CLUB DIRECTORY Head Coach - Dean Gibson Assistant Coaches - Roddy Maughan, Neil Ross Goalkeeping Coach - Chris Flockhart Secretary - Karen McEwan Physiotherapist - Claire Rankin Masseuse - Laura Burns Sports Analyst - Emma Crawford Chaplin - Catriona Lamont Marketing - Matthew Palfreyman Communications - David Ronney, Jack Donnelly, Struan Garvie Club Photographer - Craig Doyle Club Videographer - Dougie Penman

HONOURS SWPL 03/04, 05/06, 06/07 Scottish Cup 03, 05, 07, 08, 10, 16, 17, 18 SWPL Cup 05, 07, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19

CONTACT hiberniancommunityfoundation.org.uk @hibernianwomen Phone - 0131 656 7062 Hibernian Community Foundation Easter Road Stadium 12 Albion Place Edinburgh EH7 5DG

PROGRAMME Editor - Matthew Palfreyman Written Content - Struan Garvie, Jack Donnelly, Dean Gibson, Amy Muir, Carla Boyce Images - Craig Doyle, Donna Dignan

NOTES FROM THE BOSS

DEAN GIBSON The new head coach has been loving life leading the team and is looking forward to the new season kicking off.

elcome to our first home game of the new season in what is set to be an exciting new era for both Hibernian Women and women’s football in Scotland.

“I WANT THE SAME AS PREVIOUS SEASONS. I WANT US TO BE AT THE TOP END OF THE LEAGUE COMPETING AND CHALLENGING IN THE CUP COMPETITIONS”

I’d like to start my first piece in our programmes this season by saying my time as head coach has been really enjoyable so far. The players have been excellent. Myself and the rest of the coaching staff have found the transition easy and that’s down to the attitude of the players in the squad. You can see why they have been so successful over the past few seasons. Their application has been brilliant.

Team. There has been a lot of similarities. Pre season has went well. Although we haven’t had as much time as most to work with the squad, we feel the players are adapting to small changes we have been making. As I said earlier, they have been brilliant from the minute I came in. Their work rate, attitude and application is excellent. I definitely feel we are ready for the season kicking off now.

The process has been similar as before with the Under-23s when I stepped up from the Under-15s. I’ve had experience before of going from one team to another within the same club and coping with that transition. It was also similar to an extent that some players had moved on. So I feel the whole experience of the Academy environment has helped me loads coming into the First

There is a good buzz to the whole squad as the first game has been approaching. It’s seen as an Edinburgh Derby and one we don’t want to lose, but we also know how hard we will need to work to come away with a positive result. With more clubs investing in their women’s team, I think it makes everything more competitive, which in turn hopefully makes it more attractive to

sponsors and TV who can invest money into the game. The women’s game in Scotland strong and hopefully this will lead to much deserved exposure the players deserve. Going into this season, I want the same as previous seasons. I want us to be at the top end of the league competeing and challenging in the cup competitions. We have a very strong squad and one more than capable of achieving our targets. Every team in Scotland is strengthened by their fan base and the more we get through the door the better and stronger we will become. I’d like to thank each and every supporter of this fantastic club. Here’s to another exciting, successful season, starting with a win today. Enjoy the game.

Dean Gibson

THE CHANGING ROOM

AMY MUIR

The Scotland internationalist has been impressed with the team during pre-season and can’t wait to get started.

e have had a great pre-season. Dean and the rest of the coaching staff have really put us through a physically tough training schedule, but it’s been very beneficial. We feel we are in a good place now to start on a high.

maximum points.

Of course, change can be difficult at times but the new coaching staff have settled nicely. The transition has been really smooth. They’ve brought fresh ideas to the group which is exciting and helps us all grow as players.

“THE NEW COACHING STAFF HAVE SETTLED NICELY. THE TRANSITION HAS BEEN REALLY SMOOTH. THEY’VE BROUGHT FRESH IDEAS TO THE GROUP WHICH IS EXCITING AND HELPS US ALL GROW AS PLAYERS.”

It’s been a tough few weeks, with some intense games, but we have seen great improvement over the past month. We are in a good place now physically going into the opening game of the season. We know it will be tough. Spartans will be difficult to break down and they are a determined side who won’t make it easy for us. We believe, however, if we can perform to the high standards which we always set ourselves then we can come away with

The opening game will be competitive. Previous games against Spartans have been competitive matches. It’s a difficult first game of the season but of course

we’ll be going into it wanting to take the three points and get off to a strong start in the league campaign. We’ve had a few new faces join the team but they have have settled well. Most importantly, they add quality to the side. The

players promoted from Under-23s are beginning to understand the demands and standards expected of them playing for the first team of Hibernian Women. They are improving each week which is amazing to see. My personal goals for the season are to continually improve as a player and contribute as positively as I can to gain results, each week. I’d like to make sure I’m playing consistently each week, then add more assists and goals to my game. Anything else that comes along is an added bonus. For the team, we understand how difficult a season it’s going to be, however, we have had great success domestically in previous seasons and we expect to continue them into the 2020 season.

Amy Muir

SWPL1 LEAGUE TABLE & FIXTURES T

TEAM

PTS

Celtic

Forfar Farmington

Heart of Midlothian

Hibernian

Motherwell

Rangers

Spartans

Glasgow City

-1

FEBRUARY 2020 23rd

Spartans (H)

13:00 KO

Ainslie Park, EH6 5AY

15th

Motherwell (A)

14:00 KO

Ravenscraig, ML1 2TZ

20th

Rangers (H)

19:30 KO

Ainslie Park, EH6 5AY

5th

Glasgow City (A)

14:00 KO

Petershill Park, G21 4EE

19th

Celtic (H)

13:00 KO

Ainslie Park, EH6 5AY

3rd

Hearts (A)

14:00 KO

Oriam Centre, EH14 4AS

10th

Forfar Farmington (H)

13:00 KO

Ainslie Park, EH6 5AY

24th

Spartans (A)

13:00 KO

Ainslie Park, EH6 5AY

31st

Motherwell (H)

13:00 KO

Ainslie Park, EH6 5AY

14th

Rangers (A)

14:00 KO

Hummel Training Centre, G62 6EH

28th

Glasgow City (H)

13:00 KO

Ainslie Park, EH6 5AY

K-Park Academy, G75 0QZ

MARCH 2020

APRIL 2020

MAY 2020

JUNE 2020

AUGUST 2020 2nd

Celtic (A)

14:00 KO

9th

Hearts (H)

13:00 KO

Ainslie Park, EH6 5AY

23rd

Forfar Farmington (A)

14:00 KO

Forfar Community Campus, DD8 3TH

30th

Spartans (H)

13:00 KO

Ainslie Park, EH6 5AY

SEPTEMBER 2020 6th

Motherwell (A)

14:00 KO

Ravenscraig, ML1 2TZ

27th

Rangers (H)

13:00 KO

Ainslie Park, EH6 5AY

Glasgow City (A)

14:00 KO

Petershill Park, G21 4EE

OCTOBER 2020 18th

NOVEMBER 2020 1st

Celtic (H)

13:00 KO

Ainslie Park, EH6 5AY

8th

Hearts (A)

14:00 KO

Oriam Centre, EH14 4AS

15th

Forfar Farmington (H)

13:00 KO

Ainslie Park, EH6 5AY

DEBBI MCCULLOCHâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SIDE HAVE STARTED STRONG IN 2020, DESPITE THE CHALLENGING WEATHER CONDITIONS.

OPPOSITION FOCUS

SPARTANS FC Jack Donnelly has looked into our oppnents for the opening game of the season, who have enjoyed a strong cup run so far.

partans enjoyed a decent campaign last year, finishing 5th in the SBS SWPL1, making it to the third-round of the SSE Scottish Cup and reaching the semi-finals of the SWPL Cup. Their season has already started, as they competed in the group stages for the SWPL Cup over the last two weeks. Both games resulted in victory for the Edinburgh side. Spartans have made a number of additions to their squad over the winter break, most notably being they now have former Hibees Alicia Yates and Holly Aitchison. Both players went to Spartans from our academy set up, with Yates having made one first team appearance against Forfar last season.

LAST MEETING Spartans 0-4 Hibernian Our last meeting with today’s opponents resulted in a resounding victory for Hibernian. Immediately preceding our UEFA Women’s Champions League Round of 32 tie, the team in green ‘n’ white were in fine form. Despite enjoying plenty of the ball in the first half, there were no goals until after the break when Hibs exploded into life. The goals in that match-up came from Rachael Boyle, Siobhan Hunter (2) and Lauren Davidson.

THE BIG INTERVIEW

CARLA BOYCE Struan Garvie sat down with our first signing of the season to discuss her football background and how life at Hibs has been.

he first player focus of the season is with our new number 7, Carla Boyce. Carla was Hibernian Women’s first signing of the new season arriving from Rangers. Football has been a part of Carla’s life ever since she was four years old.

level, Carla has spent the more recent seasons at Rangers before making the move to Hibernian.

for herself, but for the whole squad.

“My ambition for the team is to challenge for the “I decided to move to Hibs league and win trophies. because of how successful My own ambition is to they have been in the last score as many goals as I can to help the team win few seasons. Hibs have a games. I want to continue lot of great experienced to improve on my strength players that can help me and hold the ball up for “My love for football began improve as a player.” the team.” when I was four years Moving to a new club old playing football in Carla is one of many can be quite challenging the street with the boys new faces at the as there were club the season. no girls. I joined Another of which Scotland boys is the new head club at six years coach, Dean old and this is Gibson. where my passion for football “The new began.” coaching staff have been great, Being the only girl putting in a lot of effort for some players. It on the boy’s team may and commitment to get means new teammates, have seemed daunting. us ready for the game this new coaches and new However, Carla loved the weekend.” challenges. However, opportunity. Carla has found the Even though there have “Playing for Scotland boys change easy, forming a close bond with the rest of been some changes to the club was really good! I team and support staff, the team. loved the challenge of everyone is looking ahead being the only girl and to a successful season. “I am settling in very well proving myself.” and the players and staff “You can expect a strong, Representing your country have been so welcoming. hard working team who Having played with some at any level is a huge are willing to challenge of the girls at Scotland honour. It provides the Under-19s it was easier to and compete with all the opportunity to travel teams in the league.” integrate into the team.” across the world to face some of the world’s best A new club also brings teams and players. new challenges. Carla is ready for these and hopes Having already played for to be successful not only Glasgow City at youth

“I DECIDED TO MOVE TO HIBS BECAUSE OF HOW SUCCESSFUL THEY HAVE BEEN.”

Carla Boyce

THE

FIRST TEAM SIOBHAN HUNTER

JENI CURRIE

SOPHIE ALLISON

JOELLE MURRAY

OUR FIRST TEAM PLAYERS AND STAFF WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A WARM WELCOME TO ALL OF OUR SPONSORS THIS SEASON.