Preparations for the new season are well underway for Aberdeen Women ahead of the their second campaign in the SWPL1. The Dons start the season on Sunday 7th August when they travel to play Hamilton Accies.
Co-managers Gavin Beith and Emma Hunter have been given their thoughts on pre-season and looking ahead to the start of a new campaign.
Gavin: “Things have gone really well in pre-season so far. We’ve managed to get minutes into pretty much everyone’s legs and have been relatively injury free. We’ve been looking to do something a bit different in terms of our style of play and the girls have taken to that and have been doing everything we’ve asked of them.
“I think last season we were forced to play a certain way at times whereas we want to try and have a set way of playing which will obviously need to be adaptable at times over the season. Last year we had a few issues with injuries and Covid that forced certain formations on us but I think we’ve added well and have probably got two for every position now which gives you the opportunity to try and bed in a style.
“I don’t think there is a ceiling for any team in the league and I think you can see across the league that teams are investing and looking to improve and push forward. We’re no different and it was great to finish fifth last season and with the league structure changing and the introduction of the top six, bottom six split I think getting in that top half will be our objective. We won’t be alone with that aim. Although we did well last season we could see where there were areas to improve on.
“The players who were here last season also have a full top flight season under their belts now and although many of them are still young, they’ll go into next season with that bit more experience. Hopefully we can kick on again after last season and have another really good campaign this time.”
Emma: “It makes a huge difference having a full pre-season but at the same time, all the other teams are in exactly the same position. We’ve got a lot of fresh faces coming in so it’s really important to get to know each other off the pitch as well as on it. That was something we lost the ability to do over Covid so it makes a massive difference to get together and as group and it gives Gav and I the chance to bed in the responsibilities that each player has individually as well as the team as a whole.
“We had a weekend camp which gave us the chance to spend more time together and get more time on the training ground. The young players that come in don’t come with any pre-conceived ideas and they come with a fresh open mind and a lot of energy. That has been good for the rest of the squad and we’ve been really impressed with the intensity and attitude of the young players coming in as well as those who were already there.
“The players that were already here have embraced the young ones coming in and that stands us in good stead moving forward as we want invest in our young players and I think people will be impressed by some of the quality that they will bring.”
