Belt Up Regional Festival of Football: Academy clash is close to home for Tom

There is family pride as well as three points on the line tomorrow when the Hyundai Football West Academy take on Perth Azzurri in Albany.

The New Balance NPL WA Women’s fixture at Retravision Stadium is part of the Belt Up Regional Festival of Football.

The game kicks off at 2pm and precedes the NPL WA Men’s clash between Perth Glory and Bayswater City.

And for Azzurri head coach Tom Glavovic, there is a little extra riding on the outcome.

“Haha, yes, my daughter Savanna is part of the Academy team, so this week has been quite different,” he said. “We normally talk about the games coming up, but not so much this week. I just hope we win, otherwise I will hear all about it!”

This is the Azzurri’s second time playing in the festival, with their previous involvement also in Albany in 2020. However, it is the first time they have gone as league champions.

“It’s a great opportunity for us as a team and for women’s NPL football in general,” he said.

“It’s a great reward after what they achieved last season, winning the league.

“Playing against the Academy is always special. I was a coach and loved every single moment of it. It’s a great place to be for young female footballers, with excellent facilities and coaching.”

Azzurri head into Round Eight in second place after four wins and three draws. Their hand was strengthened recently with the return of Charli Wainwright and Daisy McAllister from their Perth Glory A-League commitments.

“It is great for us to have Charli and Daisy back, they are two big players for us.

“We have a great group and it’s good that we are able to bring players through from our 21s and 18s too. There is a massive focus on player development here. We want to bring through players ourselves and build our own culture. That’s not always possible of course, but it is the aim.”

Perth beat the Academy three times in the league last year, although it was the youngsters who came out on top in their State Cup meeting via a penalty shoot-out.

Hyundai Football West Academy Head of Girls Program Andy Ord said: “Saturday will be a good test going up against the best team in the NPLW last season.

The Academy, who are fourth, will be without Theo Mouithys and Sakura Leong, who are still away on Junior Matildas duty at the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup.

“Theo and Sakura have done great in helping the Junior Matildas reach the semi-finals and qualify for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup,” Ord said.

“Their absence has created opportunities for others to show they belong at the NPLW level. Some will grasp it and some will need more time.

“And trips like this are all part of learning how to be an elite player … the travel, staying in the hotel, eating the right food while you’re away.”

The Academy-Azzurri game is a 2pm kick-off and part of an NPL double-header. At 4pm is the New Balance NPL WA Men’s Round 10 meeting between Perth Glory and Bayswater City.

Entry on Saturday is by gold coin donation, with money going to Cancer Council WA.

• All four teams will hold a free open training session at Retravision Stadium on Friday night. The Academy and Glory will train between 6-7pm, followed by Bayswater and Azzurri (7-8pm).
• Football West would like to thank the WA Government for its support for the Belt Up Regional Festival of Football. We also recognise the Insurance Commission of Western Australia as the naming rights partner through its Belt Up road safety campaign.