APART from dealing with the cold in recent weeks, the unbeaten Rosewood United Roses over-30 women’s soccer team is enjoying their latest season.

They have had four wins and three draws and are progressing well in the Queensland Christian Soccer Association competition.

The Roses drew 1-1 with Silkstone in their latest match at Caledonian Park.

The 21-strong squad includes a mix of players from last year’s Division 4 premiership-winning Crusaders team and some newcomers.

Head coach Kim Bennett was delighted with how the players were having fun and were keen to learn.

Former Australian Matildas striker and team captain Kerrie Rowe has been helping Kim teach the newcomers important skills.

“Kerrie is awesome,” Kim said having known the regular goal scorer for a long time.

“She’s good because she’s got such a great soccer brain and she helps the young ones and she helps everyone.

“She sends some beautiful balls and she educates them on where they need to be.

“It’s just absolute gold having her.”

Kim, who is also an amateur boxer, is currently unable to coach the team preparing for two fights, including for an Oceania Masters title.

However, she was pleased injured goalkeeper Gemma Campbell was helping out in that important role.

Gemma ruptured her ACL having a run on the field in the second half recently, leaving the Roses scrambling for a replacement keeper.

Shauna Harper has stepped up to guard the goals.

After her latest bouts, Kim wants to continue encouraging the team - including two younger players Brianna Mellor and Caitlin Clappis - who are eligible to play for the over-30 side under the competition rules.

Kim said new friendships were being made by the mums and newcomers who were enjoying training.

Rosewood United Club president Tammy Crawford is a regular over-30 team member, playing on the wing.

Tammy was impressed with how the team was fairing despite the chilly nights.

“They are going really good,” Tammy said.

“The cold put us in a little bit of a shock the other week but apart from that, going well.”

She said the players from last year’s Rosewood women’s team were adapting to the over-30 format.

“Even with last year, we were just out there to have fun,” she said.

“It’s a competition but if you’re not enjoying yourself, what’s the point?”

Tammy said Kim had been a “fantastic” coach in her second year with the group of mums.

After a successful 2024 season guiding the Crusaders to a QCSA Division 4 premiership, Kim was invited to stay with this year’s side moving into the over-30 series.

Kim is a former Queensland Academy of Sport assistant coach who is living in the area and sharing her knowledge.

“We’re out there to learn and she gets a bit strict with us sometimes, but we are generally out there to have a good time,” Tammy said.

Tammy said one of the team’s most enjoyable games was a 2-2 draw against Sunnybank a month ago.

The Roses only had 11 players in that match, securing a valuable point against a Sunnybank side with a full complement of 16.

The Roses over-30 side’s next game is tonight (June 27) against Raceview at Caledonian Park.

Tammy said the Rosewood club based at Thagoona was also continuing to grow with 240 players this season – 50 more than last year.

After the first two rounds were washed out, junior and senior matches across the multiple club grades have been able to be played in recent weeks.