The Southern United head coach has had the luxury of watching a full club season compared with last year and has been impressed with what he has seen.
Week in, week out, there have been players putting their hands up, proving why they deserve a spot in the National League.
It has allowed Ridley the chance to name a relatively young squad this season, with one eye on the next few years.
"We’ve got quite a few clubs represented this time," Ridley said.
"It’s just a matter of giving them a chance and see what happens and we’ve done that.
"We’re quite lucky here, I think.
"We’ve got some younger girls in from university. That then helps strengthen our 18s."
The future is looking bright for Southern United, which ended last season on five wins, five draws and four losses.
They finished fourth in the league, the highest-placed team south of Auckland, and had three draws and two wins against the top three sides.
Southern United will be without at least six players from last year’s starting lineup.
Chelsea Whittaker has been ruled out after knee surgery, Emily Morison is overseas, Kelsey Kennard is having a year off and Jasmine Prince is also taking some time away from the sport.
Kennedy Bryant and Sarah Morton have returned to Wellington.
"There’s probably one thing better than Rose Morton on the field and that’s Rose Morton off the field," Ridley said
"Especially for young girls here in the 18s and just anyone that’s sort of wanting to I guess look for a leader in a person.
"I don’t think there’s anyone else ... that can sort of represent the region in women’s football other than Rose."
She is joined by Toni Power, Margi Dias, Hannah Mackay-Wright, Samantha Woolley, Abby Rankin — "who I believe doesn’t know how good she is yet" — and Jemma Wilson.
Wilson, Hayley Julian and Georgia Kennedy have all been selected for the national under-20 camp starting on Monday.
"I think it’s great. You don’t really get the opportunities like the Northern-based girls.
"The girls have been exceptional and they deserve a go."
Former Southern United striker Amy Hislop is also back from the United States.
"She’s definitely one of the better No 9s in the country so it’s quite good to have her."
A couple of players had also been signed from outside the region to help them be competitive, he said.
The league has been given a revamp, expanding from eight teams to 10 and reverting to one round instead of two.
Nine rounds will culminate in the final between the top two on November 26, a double-header with the men’s league final.
Southern United will face defending champions Eastern Suburbs in their opening game at Logan Park on Sunday.
"Having, I guess, the reigning champions first up is a good test and you want to play the best anyway.
"We’re definitely not shying away from it.
"We’re actually quite excited about the opportunity to see what we can do."
Southern United
National League schedule
September 24: v Eastern Suburbs,
Logan Park
October 1: v Wellington Phoenix,
Petone Memorial
October 8: v Western Springs,
Logan Park
October 14: v CF Wellington United,
Wakefield Park Turf
October 22: v Canterbury United
Pride, Logan Park
October 29: v Auckland United,
Keith Hay Park
November 4: v CF Waterside Karori,
Logan Park
November 11: v Central Football,
Massey University
November 19: v Ellerslie, Logan
Park
Squad
Goalkeepers: Lauren Paterson (Green Island), Hayley Julian (Dunedin City Royals), Amy Simmers (Otago University).
Defenders: Hannah McKay-Wright (Dunedin City Royals), Toni Power (Dunedin City Royals), Samantha Woolley (Otago University), Jemma Wilson (Roslyn-Wakari), Marissa Porteous (West Coast Rangers), Tahlia Roome (Dunedin City Royals), Freya Partridge-Moore (Dunedin City Royals), Saffron Hare (Roslyn-Wakari).
Midfielders: Rose Morton (captain, Dunedin City Royals), Maddy McCormick (Otago University), Kendrah Smith (West Coast Rangers), Abby Rankin (Otago University), Katie Mawdesley (Otago University), Jemma McCormick (Otago University), Shania McIntosh (West Coast Rangers).
Forwards: Jemma Wilson (Roslyn-Wakari), Margarida Dias (Dunedin City Royals), Amy Hislop (Otago University), Georgia Kennedy (Dunedin City Royals), Zara Pratley (Roslyn-Wakari), Bee Park (Green Island), Raegan Potter (Green Island), Abby Nicolson (Otago
University).
