Tara Murray
Uni Hill Eagles didn’t plan on coming in FV state league 3 north-west quietly and the team has quickly proven they are a team to beat this season.
Last season’s state league 4 north premiers, the Eagles have continued that same form into season.
After eight rounds, the Eagles sit second on the ladder, four points behind leaders Heidelberg Eagles.
Eagles president Firass Ibrahim is thrilled.
“It’s our first year in state league 3 and we are second on the ladder,” he said.
“Carl Recchia, who was a Melbourne Victory inaugural player is our coach, and has created a great culture in the change rooms.
“We don’t want to be making up the numbers.”
Ibrahim said they were keen to earn a second straight promotion to help the club continue up the ranks.
He said they’re in a very different situation to many of the other sides in the competition.
“There’s teams that have been around for decades, no one has really known who we are,” he said.
“We’ve only been around for six or seven years. We’re looking to get promoted this year.
“The club is still a baby club being in state league 3 is our highest achievement, for most of the other clubs it’s the bottom peak.”
The Eagles this week face Point Cook on Saturday in round nine.
Ibrahim said while things were tracking well for their men’s sides, it was across the board they were seeing massive growth.
Their women’s side, which is playing in state league 3 for the first time, is sitting in fourth spot.
He said from a junior perspective, they have more than 200 juniors playing this season.
“We’re doing really well and we have our first full under-14 girls team which is undefeated after four weeks.
“We have three under-14 teams, an under-15s, under-16s and multiple MiniRoos sides.”
The club has also signed a 10-year contract with Watsmith Paint and Panel to be the club’s major sponsor.
As part of the deal, the club’s female program is receiving extra support.
