By Chandler Milligan
A local women’s football team celebrated their fourth-consecutive National Premier Leagues (NPL) Championship win in September, capping off an historic two-year 50-game streak without a loss.
For football fans who live in Greater Springfield, the Lions Football Club (Lions FC) Women, based in Richlands, are the closest participating team.
For a little history: on October 24, 2020, the Lions FC Women walked off the field after a narrow 1-0 defeat at home, against Eastern Suburbs.
It would be the last time they lose a competitive game of football.
Since then, incredibly, they have gone over 50 matches unbeaten – winning 55 and drawing two – leading into their grand final game and ensuing victory on September 24 by defeating the mighty Gold Coast United team 6-0 at Perry Park.
The Lionesses’ ascension to the summit of Queensland football has been monumental, but their achievements are put into even greater perspective when you consider that they didn’t even exist five years ago.
Unveiled back in 2017, the Lions Women’s outfit was introduced into the then PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s Queensland competition ahead of the 2018 campaign, where they marked the return of their women’s program with a statement 9-nil win at home against the Capalaba Bulldogs.
Less than five years later, they have nine titles to their name and a 58-game unbeaten streak to emphasise their place at the top of women’s football.
Players like Tegan Riding, Mariel Hecher, Amy Gunston, and Abigail Evetts have been with the club since the very beginning and still form the foundations of a strong Lions family.
Head Coach Rob Askew spoke about his side’s historic achievement at the time.
“It’s 49 wins and two draws, but you know, you take it one game at a time and see how far we can take it,” Mr Askew said.
“Maybe we can create something that will last a long time before it is beaten again. I guess that’s got to be the focus.”
The National Premier Leagues Queensland Women’s is the state’s top football competition. The NPL operates under a single banner in each Member Federation and underpins the A-Leagues.
Daniel Bouwmeester contributed to this story.
