Merewether United have made a unique investment in their Herald Women’s Premier League club in response to rising player payments.
Second-placed Merewether, who take on South Wallsend on Sunday at Myamblah Oval in round 18, have bought GPS tracking systems worn by players to assess performance.
The club hoped the equipment would help player and coaching development and in turn improve retention and recruitment.
“We’re excited about it and we’ve obviously invested a lot of money into it,” coach Cass Koppen said. “It was to increase the professionalism at the club and offer players something unique, that really hasn’t been done in Newcastle before. I think the competition is getting a whole lot more competitive and clubs need to keep evolving.
“I haven’t paid any players at the club, but player payments are something that’s definitely coming into the WPL. That’s not something we can probably afford as a small club, but if we continue to invest in our facilities and other ways, I think players will appreciate that and we'll be able to take our game and theirs to another level.”
In the short-term, Koppen said Merewether were in “damage control” for the clash with the Wolves, who jumped to fourth with a midweek win over Adamstown. She said Rhali Dobson and Jamee Ellis remained out with injury, while Sarah Hartree and Leah Giuffre were still overseas. Also Sunday, Wallsend play Adamstown at The Gardens.
