HAVANT & Waterlooville Women sit top of the Division One South table after winning all four of their opening games.
Now the highest-ranked senior team at the Hawks, promotion is firmly in their sights as they look to build on their remarkable rise through the leagues.
Striker Millie Bradbury believes the togetherness within the squad has been key to their strong start:
“We have had a lot of players come in. The atmosphere is amazing, the coaching staff are brilliant, Steve the manager is probably the best manager I have had, and there’s a real hunger for promotion this year. I think the atmosphere and the togetherness is what’s making the team really successful.”
The first team restructured for the 2022/23 season and this made an immediate impact, dropping points in just one game and finishing with a goal difference of plus 96. Their outstanding debut campaign secured them three successive promotions.
However, promotion has proved harder to achieve in recent seasons. The Hawks finished third and then second, narrowly missing out on another step up, with only the league winners earning promotion.
For Bradbury, promotion isn’t just about the team’s league position, remaining at the same level potentially limits players opportunities to progress.
“It has impacted me as a player because if you’re not getting promoted, it’s setting you back as a player. Other teams aren’t looking to sign you as you are in the league below,” she said.
She also believes the fine margins between teams have contributed to previous disappointments.
“The margin for error for teams is so small, and I think that’s what we were struggling with.”
First-team manager Steve Marsh is pleased with the side’s start to the campaign, highlighting the strength of the division and the rewards the players are beginning to see from their hard work.
“It’s a tough league. It’s been a tough league for many seasons, with very good teams, so to have started the season the way we have has been especially pleasing, and the girls have seen the rewards that their hard work deserves.”
With four wins from four, a united squad and promotion firmly in their sights, Havant & Waterlooville Women have made an encouraging start. After coming close in previous seasons, is this the year they take home the silverware?
https://youtu.be/cyybUIhRkhQ?si=Nxfta0nyHGZ7rdP0
Reporter Keira Godwin went down to Havant & Waterlooville training session to find out about the team’s successful start to the season.
