The Ison Park-based club has established a partnership with the Illawarra Stingrays, creating a legitimate identification pathway for girls in the sport of football.

This partnership will keep a major connection between the players who are selected in the Illawarra Stingrays National Premier League One teams and the players who are selected in the Southern Branch FC NPL Two teams, not to mention opportunities in coaching and educational purposes too.

Boardman, who as well as being Southern Branch FC's technical director, will be a big part of this connection, as he will also be the Stingrays' girls development manager.

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He will oversee both the Stingrays' GSAP and youth teams along with their technical director and senior head coach.

"Norm will strengthen both clubs and will have an overview of all players across both the Illawarra Stingrays and Southern Branch FC," a Stingrays spokesperson said.

"Part of Norm's role is to identify GSAP (Girls Skills Acquisition Program - under 10-13s) and youth grade players from both of these clubs that are capable of transitioning into our youth senior teams.

"Norm will also be first grade head senior coach with Southern Branch FC as well as overseeing their youth and GSAP programs, identifying talent to be shared between the two clubs.

"Norm will attend game days and training sessions for both the Illawarra Stingrays and Southern Branch FC as well as attending both trials for the two clubs, providing an independent review.

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"Having Norm on board also gives us a structured pathway for local females in the Illawarra and Southern Region and will work with key leadership within both clubs to ensure a future strategy for success.

"This is a game-changer for women's football and the Illawarra Stingrays are super excited to be able to have this Southern Branch FC partnership and of course, our shared resource Norm Boardman.

"We thank everyone for all your support and we can't wait for the 2021 season - a change in women's football is just getting started and we cannot wait to be a massive part of it."