The Queensland Sting (founded in 1996 as the Queensland Academy of Sport) were a women's soccer club that represented the state of Queensland, Australia in the now-defunct Women's National Soccer League. During the 8-seasons of the competition, the Sting won 4 championships making them the most successful club in WNSL history.[1]
| Full name | Queensland Sting Football Club |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1996 (as Queensland Academy of Sport) |
| Dissolved | 2005 |
| Ground | Perry Park, Bowen Hills QSAC, Brisbane |
| Capacity | 5,00 48,500 |
| Owner | Queensland Academy of Sport |
| Chairman | Unknown |
| Senior Women's Manager | Mike Mulvey (1997–2005) |
| League | Women's National Soccer League |
| 2004 | 1st |
History
editThe Queensland Sting were founded in 1996 as a women's Queensland Academy of Sport team that was chosen to represent Queensland in the inaugural season of the Ansett Summer Series, the first ever women's national soccer competition. The Sting would finish the first season tied on points with the NSW Academy of Sport (Sapphires) on 14 points. To decide who would be crowned the winners of the inaugural season a 40-minute "playoff" was held which the Sting won on penalties.[2] The grand final was held the following day, as Queensland beat South Australia 2–0, with two goals from veteran Australian striker Lisa Dunne.[3]
In 1997, the Sting would recruit future Brisbane Roar Premiership and 2014 Grand Final winner Mike Mulvey, who would lead them to multiple trophies until the end of the league.[4][5]
From 2000–2001 until the demise of the league in 2004, Queensland Sting would become the dominant force in the WNSL. They were undefeated in the 2000 season going on to defeat NSW Sapphires narrowly in the deciding 2001 Grand Final which drew a record crowd (for the era) of 2,665.[4] The following season would almost be as successful, losing two games, however they would pick up their third national championship in the 2003 Grand Final against an Alen Stajcic coached NSW Sting.[6]
Both the Sapphires and the Sting would meet each other once more in a Grand Final replay some 12 months later, however Stajcic's side prevailed in an decisive 3–1 result, ending the NSW Sapphires 3-straight Grand Final losses.[7]
The Sting would claim the title of the most successful club in the WNSL during its final official season, beating the Northern NSW Pride 2–0 in the 2004 Grand Final.[8]
The Women's National Soccer League would ultimately fold following the 2004 season, however the Australian Women's Soccer Association which in itself was on the verge of its own collapse would see a week long Championship played in the ACT, with the Sting going on to defeat the NSW Sapphire (blue) in the final.[4]
Home Grounds
edit
The Queensland Sting would play out of predominantly two home grounds when hosting teams in Queensland. Perry Park in Brisbane. They would also play a large majority of their games at the home of the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS), Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre.
Managers
edit| Years | Name |
|---|---|
| 1996 |  Greg Brown
|
| 1997–2005 |  Mike Mulvey
|
Notable Players
edit
Tammie Thornton- Heather Garriock – 130 appearances for the Matildas and 20 goals.[9]
- Karla Reuter
Honours
edit- WNSL:
WNSL Champions (4): 1996–97, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2004, 2005 (unofficial)
Runners-up (1): 2003
- Julie Dolan Medal
- Heather Garriock 2002
References
edit- ^ "The history of football in Australia". Football Australia. 14 June 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ Gorman, Joe (18 March 2022). "The Long Read: A players' history of Australian football's first women's national league". Professional Footballers Australia. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ "The Ansett Australia Summer Series 1996/97". Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ a b c Crawford, Fiona; McGowan, Lee (2019). Never Say Die: The Hundred-Year Overnight Success of Australian Women's Football. Sydney: NewSouth Publishing. ISBN 9781742249216. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ "Sting hoping to continue proud tradition". ABC News. 18 December 2004. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ "Grand Final report". OzFootball. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ "Sapphires claim women's soccer crown". ABC News. 21 December 2003. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ "Queensland stings Pride in WNSL grand final". ABC News. 19 December 2004. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ "Heather Garriock". Football Australia. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2023.