Russell Lea Women's Soccer Club
Established – 1986
Home grounds – Queen Elizabeth Park
Current members – 317
The origins of Russell Lea Women’s Soccer Club (RLWSC) began with the Five Dock Club in about 1974. A group of women led by the club’s founders, including Norma Geribo, formed an All Age Ladies team.
The early days with the Five Dock club lasted until around the mid 1980’s when the women decided to go out on their own.
This gave them the chance to develop their own culture and promote women’s soccer away from the strong influence of the much bigger men’s club.
The Russell Lea Women’s Soccer Club was formed in 1986/7. It was at this time that the club’s founders became aware of the stronger women’s and girls’ soccer competition in the Gladesville-Hornsby District Football Association (which in time became North-West Sydney Women’s Soccer).
As the club was beginning afresh, it was accepted as a member of the burgeoning Gladesville-Hornsby Women’s competition. The club at this time saw the opportunity to grow and promote girls’ soccer as well.
By 1987, Russell Lea Women’s Soccer Club had four teams in Under 13’s, Under 15’s and All Ages. Following its move to the Canterbury District Soccer Football Association in 2006, the club has undergone a number of big changes. The most obvious being the requirement to find and manage a home ground. This was found at Queen Elizabeth Park, Concord. The efforts on the part of club officials, players and parents in making this new responsibility work was outstanding. We also recognise the important contribution our sponsors play and thank them for their contributions.
Nearly all of the other clubs in the NWSWS and CDSFA are a part of existing men’s clubs. This is a great distinction for Russell Lea. As can be seen from this brief history, the club’s genesis was in promoting football for women.
We have developed a set of values which expresses this difference at Russell Lea. We are also promoting the ‘beautiful game’ for women and girls in the district, centering our efforts on the wonderful facilities at Queen Elizabeth Park.
