Belles head coach Zoey Shaw says big strides are being made by her squad in preparation for the new season already.
The Belles kick off their 2019/20 FAWNL Division One Midlands campaign in just three weeks’ time with a home clash against Leafield Athletic and Shaw feels there is a big difference compared to last year.
“It’s clear to see from my point of view that we have a lot of quality in the side already, before we get more players into the side as well, the team dynamics are great and I’m already seeing great connections being built,” she said.
“It’s already such a big step forward for us compared to where we were last season, we’re already well ahead, we’re looking to get the best out of all of them, whether that be shape wise or physically.
“The squad is really starting to take shape, we’ve been really selective over who we’ve wanted to bring into the side, we have an aim and we want to achieve that, we’ve gone for more experience rather than youth, but we have a great mix.”
Shaw’s side face last season’s Division One North champions Burnley on Sunday before facing FA Women’s Championship newcomers London City Lionesses in a behind closed doors game at St George’s Park, and the head coach believes the tests will be invaluable to her team.
“We have a big squad so Sunday will be great to get a bit of rotation into the team, just getting minutes under the players’ belts, and it’ll be the same again for the game on Tuesday, we’ll get a big fitness boost from it,” she added.
“We have Burnley who will be tough and then we play London City Lionesses who are a new Championship side, and that’s a great opportunity for some of these girls to put themselves in and around that environment, especially at St Georges Park and against that calibre of player.
“We want to use that game particularly as one that they can use to aspire to be like some of those players, we want them to aim for the top to be playing those games against those types of teams and so it’s a great opportunity.”
To see Zoey's pre-match interview in full, click here.
Purchase your Belles season ticket for the 2019/20 season via the Club Doncaster Box Office, either by visiting in-store at the Keepmoat Stadium, by calling on 01302 762576, or online at tickets.clubdoncaster.co.uk.