"I think the first thing is to try and make a program that is challenging for the players but also gives them a high level of enjoyment," Hamilton said at Cooks Square Park last Saturday when he was introduced to his squad for the first time.

"I think if we can try to make the players the best they can be both on and off the pitch i think that would be the first major target.

"If we get that starting to happen then the results will follow from that."

In a big day for the women's game, the Redbacks were introduced to Maitland fans as well as junior feeder clubs and the city's mayor Loretta Baker.

Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to get them across the line and they had a 3-0 loss to Mid Coast FC, which followed a 8-0 hammering by second-placed Merewether United on Wednesday night has left them unable to qualify for finals with four round remaining.

"We just couldn't get into the game. The girls tried hard and had some good patches but Middies were just quicker all day," Thornton coach Al Primmer said after last Saturday's match

"Cooks Square Park is wider than Thornton Park which meant more space, which I do not think we used well."

After being part of the Newcastle Jets coaching panel, Hamilton oversaw the first two years of New Lambton's introduction into the WPL.

"New Lambton was a brand new start up and it is similar in a sense that it's going to be brand new for Maitland," he said.

"Thornton have laid a very good foundation over the last number of years they have been in the competition so there is some transition there. There are some lesson learned from the New Lambton experience which can be brought here.

"I think it's an exciting project. Maitland Football Club have done some exciting things on the men's side in the last few years and when they gave me a call and talked about the vision they hope to achieve with the women's program it was something that became pretty exciting, pretty quickly.

"After a little bit of deliberation it was a pretty easy decision in the end."

Hamilton said the side's lack of on-field success in recent seasons would take time to turn around but he was confident the Magpies were willing to provide the resources needed and were excited about providing opportunities for local girls to move through the club and hopefully reach the highest levels.

"Obviously it is a big project and one that is going to be hard to turn around overnight, but we're pretty confident that with the resources that the football club has that we can definitely build a very competitive program and enjoyable program," Hamilton said.

"I think one of the great things about the female players is their thirst for knowledge, their willingness to learn and challenge themselves.

"I think we will be able to provide an environment which will help them with that.

"It is hugely exciting time for women's football in Australia, obviously, with the Women's World Cup in 2023 it will gain momentum and hopefully put a big spotlight on the female game which has been growing rapidly in the last few years."