Bullets primed and ready

The Blenheim Valley Bullets are pointing in the right direction heading into another Nelson women’s division one football campaign.

Seven additions have boosted their squad for the top of the south competition, which kicks off on Saturday, May 1.

However, the foundation of the side will be made up of players who gelled quickly and performed so creditably in the 2020 league. The third-placed team scored 92 goals from 16 games, narrowly missing out on second position.

Players such as the vastly-experienced Tiana Williams, Hannah Martin, Freya Thompson, Lauren Sloan, Lucy Martin, Tessa Hyland and Riley Preece were integral in that success and the experience gained will be invaluable as they tackle Nelson opposition again this year.

Among the newcomers, youngsters Iris Nott, Maddy Rowe and Jamiee van Keulen have moved up into women’s first division from 14th grade, while Baylee Connor-McClean follows in the footsteps of her talented footballing brothers. Maggie Lane has joined the Bullets from Picton.

The 2021 BV Bullets squad (asterisk denotes a new player this season): Abby Owen, Alicia McLeod, Hannah Martin, Freya Thompson, Iris Nott *, Jacqueline Marfell *, Baylee Connor-McClean *, Jamiee van Keulen *, Kirsten Pease, Lauren Sloan, Lucy Martin, Lea Poletti, Maddy Rowe *, Maggie Lane *, Rachel Kirby *, Riley Preece, Shanz Aires, Tessa Hyland, Tiana Williams.