Leader of the pack relishes her role

By Teo Pellizzeri

July 20 2007

Shepparton News

Nobody is enjoying the growth of women's soccer in the Goulburn Valley more than Vanessa Loverso.

Loverso grew up watching her father Harry and brother Jim Avram play in men's competition, but had to wait to get her chance on the field.

Now with the women's North Eastern Soccer League thriving, Shepparton United captain Loverso is happy to be a role model for all the young players coming up.

"I started when I was about 23," Loverso, 28, said.

"When I was younger girls didn't play in the boys' junior ranks, it's a shame the women's league didn't start sooner so I could have a few more years of playing."

Loverso was joint captain last year and earned full captaincy this year.

"I don't feel like there are expectations to live up to, I'm a leader and I try to bring our younger players up.

"We don't want our youngsters to rely on the senior players, the same faces have led the club for the past couple of years, so we're encouraging younger players to take that step up."

Loverso's daughter Sarah, 7, is following in her mother's footsteps.

"Sarah's already started playing soccer in school and it's great that she's getting into it," Loverso said.

"Hopefully when she's a bit older there will be more than one grade of women's for her to start here."

Just how much the women's league has grown will be put to the test on Sunday when first-year team Kyabram hosts United.

Two weeks ago the match would have been pencilled in as the one where 90-goal United scored its 100th of the season, but after last week's loss Loverso said the team's priorities were in the right order.

"The loss was something we can take away and learn from," she said.

"It was a big wake-up call for us and we have to regroup now.

"We won't be going out to score a number of goals, just to hold our position and work the ball around."