GSFLW season preview 2023: Bootsma takes reins as Kangas coach as they strive for further improvement

North Albany will be buoyed by an exciting crop of younger players as they look to again reach the finals of the Great Southern Football League Women’s competition. Brad Bootsma has taken the reins as Kangas women’s coach for 2023 and they will boast a very similar squad to last year. The Kangas finished with five wins and five losses in the regular season and then went down to eventual premiers Railways in the semifinals. Competition star Laura Archer will again be a key player for the Kangas in their bid to finish in the top four while Lily Minter and Brittany Ward had breakout 2022 campaigns. Bootsma said a number of new players had joined their club and the future looked bright. “The numbers have been good,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of young kids and that adds a bit of excitement but a lot have played before. “That core nucleus is still there from last year and we’ll top it up with some younger kids.” The current Kangas men’s league coach said he had stripped back his approach taking on this new role. “I’ve coached girls before, school-aged kids, but that was a long time ago and this is totally different,” Bootsma said. “A lot of girls are still learning the sport so I’ve stripped training right back and we are focussing on the basics. “Now we have to teach them game-style stuff. “Fiona Mountford and Craig Dew did a power of work in that space previously. “The aim for me is to make sure the girls are having fun, sure we are there to win but we just want to be competitive each week and keep improving as the season progresses. “I’ve seen that at training and hopefully we can keep getting better as we go.” The Kangas have announced Archer and Nina Gill as co-captains for the new season. They kick off the new campaign when they tackle Albany on Friday night before their first home game in round two against Royals. NORTH ALBANY 2022 finish: Fourth Captain: Nina Gill and Laura Archer Coach: Brad Bootsma Key players: Laura Archer, Emma Kiddle and Pippa Wilson Cam’s Call: Will really relish the opportunity to be under the guidance of one of the best coaches in regional WA. Were a big improver last year and can see them challenging for finals again