Turning the tide
The transformation of AFC Bournemouth Women
By Isobel Liddard
AFC Bournemouth Women's are constantly pushing themselves to the best of their abilities. Every season their focus is on only on themselves and how they can improve as a club.
It hasn't all been plain sailing for the side after missing out on promotion for the last three seasons. Unluckily, last season they finished second in the league, missing out in promotion by just two points. Despite not losing a game, they drew more games than team above them, Exeter City.
Despite what would be a massive blow for many, the Cherries have bounced back and are so far keeping their invisible status. They are currently third in their domestic league and despite having five games in hand, the Cherries are only one point behind of league leaders Swindon Town. Currently, they remain unbeaten in the league with only conceding two and scoring 52 goals.
Diving into the efforts of Bournemouth Women and their recent successes will explore how the club have got to where they are now. As well as the potential future on the horizon for them if the team continue to grow at the rate they are at currently.
Kelci Bower's getting coaching advice during a game, Photo by Zach Sampson
Kelci Bower's getting coaching advice during a game, Photo by Zach Sampson
More than just Coaches
The vital roles of AFC Bournemouth Women's backroom staff
To start, we venture into the world of coaching and meet the back room staff at the club.
Steve Cuss is manager of the women's team over at AFC Bournemouth. He is heavily experienced over a number of fields in leadership and has a number of responsibilities within AFCB.
As well as being manager, Cuss is also Head of Community over at AFC Bournemouth. He runs and is in charge of any community groups run by the club. The Sports Trust sessions run for people as young as 1 years-old to people over 70, offering sporting activities for people of all abilities to get involved in.
Steve Cuss offering out his managerial advice to the squad, Photo by Zach Sampson
Steve Cuss offering out his managerial advice to the squad, Photo by Zach Sampson
Tactics that Steve Cuss sets up his team up for has changed this season compared to seasons gone. He sets up the defence as a back three, with a high press for the rest of the team so they can be quick in transition to attack.
Steve Cuss overseeing training, Photo by Zach Sampson
Steve Cuss overseeing training, Photo by Zach Sampson
By creating the same mantra for all of your team to follow is vital in having a successful team. Steve Cuss projects his calmness on to players and everyone around him. The aim is to always focus on winning the next game, and it's clearly an ideology that works well for the side, as results instantly prove.
Champions
of the Seaside
Breakthrough Talent in the Squad
The team at AFC Bournemouth has got a mixture of players with experience and new players just starting out. This mixture helps the players grow in terms of learning and how to adapt to new roles, having the right leadership in place to guide those who need it.
Captain of the Cherries is Abby Jones. The 21-year-old has been at the club since the age of 13, making her first team debut at 16-years old. Jones has been a crucial player in the Bournemouth set-up since her arrival, being the only player of the squad to feature in all of the team's 2023/4 fixtures. She was also captain of the side's most famous victory against higher opposition Portsmouth in the second round of the County Cup.
The longevity that she has been at the club also means that she was has witnessed the team reach the third round of the Adobe Women's FA Cup and also retain the Adopt South Women’s Hampshire Senior Cup. Players like Abby Jones are vital in a team's success, to have an individual as experienced as her as club captain to be in around the team proves that she can excel with her leadership qualities.
Captain Abby Jones in action during a game, Photo by Zach Sampson
Captain Abby Jones in action during a game, Photo by Zach Sampson
Top goalscorer for the Cherries this season is Erin Bloomfield with an 19 goals this season. Jenna Markham is just one goal off the English striker's tally. Even with the impressive goal count of two of the club's strikers, Bournemouth have 15 different registered goal scorers.
Abby Jones at AFC Bournemouth Womens training, Photo by Isobel Liddard
Abby Jones at AFC Bournemouth Womens training, Photo by Isobel Liddard
The next stage for the club if they do go up the leagues is to go full-time. A lot of players have different career paths as well as the Cherries side. Molly Barron-Clarke is an England international beach football player, Gemma McGuinness has a performance nutritionist brand that she runs and Abby Jones is a full-time coach at AFC Bournemouth Sports Trust.
If the club were to go full-time it would promote their clubs seriousness in going up in the leagues. If all the players and coaches were able to receive the support by the owners it would also advocate Bill Foley's commitment to the women's set-up within AFC Bournemouth.
Gemma McGuinness in action at AFC Bournemouth Womens training, Photo by Isobel Liddard
Gemma McGuinness in action at AFC Bournemouth Womens training, Photo by Isobel Liddard
However, the team is far from just individuals as they have achieved a lot together this season. As well as only conceding two goals this season, they have the best goal difference in the league by 19 goals and keeper Erin Foley has eight clean sheets out of a possible 10 league games. Players are strong across all areas of the pitch, with all areas of positions fulfilling their roles.
The team currently have five games in hand ahead of top of the table in Division One South-West and are only one point behind them. With nine games to go, the team head into the final push for promotion in the third time asking.
Navigating the Pathway to more
What the club can do going forward to help the Women's team.
Steve Cuss in the brand new indoor dome in Canford, Photo by Isobel Liddard
Steve Cuss in the brand new indoor dome in Canford, Photo by Isobel Liddard
In recent years AFC Bournemouth Women have been given the opportunity to host league games and sometimes cup games at the Vitality Stadium, home of the AFC Bournemouth Men's team. Year-on-year the attendance of the fixture breaks records for the amount of spectators attending the game. The constant breaking of records proves the amount of growing interest there is from the public within the women's set-up and adds the visibility for the system.
With new owner Bill Foley is proving to only make positive investments into AFC Bournemouth, with many benefitting the women's team.
The Canford training facility is an excellent example of the beneficial impact the owner is having. Canford allows all of Bournemouth's team to be under the same umbrella of facilities. The 32 million pound project will feature 16 pitches and facilities that will include changing rooms, a medical suite, storage and classrooms as well as a media area. The brand new indoor dome is completely and hosts the women's final training session on the Friday before match-days. Developments such as Canford is just one of the examples of Foley investing in the Women's set up.
A radio package about AFC Bournemouth Women's advancement in the National League Plate. Source: Isobel Liddard and AFCBTV
Cherries fans have an exciting end to of the season to look forward to as there are 11 games left of the season, the club looking to retain the Hampshire FA Cup and they've managed to final of the National League Plate for the first time ever.
Keep up to date with the Cherries position in the league and their advancements in the cup here...
Words: Isobel Liddard
Editor: Isobel Liddard
Photos: Isobel Liddard and Zach Sampson Design: Isobel Liddard
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