Over the past few days, a total of 17 players have been announced by seven clubs in the A-League Women, and there have been coaching developments at a further two sides. Here’s Impetus’ in-depth guide of who is going where (24/8/23).
Above: Cortnee Vine talking earlier this week about her decision to stay at Sydney FC for another season. Image: Sydney FC.
Matildas World Cup stars Cortnee Vine and Tameka Yallop will be playing A-League Women football for 2023/24 after being announced as signing contracts with Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar respectively.
Vine was The Matildas Women’s World Cup penalty shootout hero in their dramatic Quarter-Final win over France, and has signed a new deal at the harbour-city club,
The attacker has played a key role in helping the Sky Blues win the last three Liberty A-League Premierships and last season’s Championship, as well as reach the Grand Final in each of her three years at the club.
“I’m excited and thrilled to be staying with Sydney FC and playing in the Liberty A-League for this season,” she said. “I can feel the Women’s World Cup has ignited a real passion for the women’s game in this country and given it real momentum.
“We are heading into an exciting new era for Australian football and I’m incredibly happy to be a part of it.”
Sydney FC Head Coach Ante Juric is extremely pleased to have retained Vine’s signature.
“Cortnee is a tremendous player and a great advocate for the game in Australia,” he said. “She lives and breathes football and showed at the World Cup that she is one of the best players in the world.
“To have her playing for Sydney FC next season and helping to defend our Championship and Premiership is a real coup for Sydney FC and women’s football in Australia.”
Vine has scored 20 goals in 44 appearances for the Sky Blues and been named the Professional Footballers Australia Team Of The Year Captain for the past two seasons.
Meanwhile. Brisbane Roar have revealed that Tameka Yallop will be returning to the on a multi-year deal ahead of the 2023/24 season.
The Australian star comes back to the Roar after previously spending ten years 2008-2018 at the club and being a part of the 2008/09 Championship winning campaign.
Yallop has a wealth of experience under her belt, with her career including international stints at the Boston Breakers, FFC Frankfurt, Iga F.C. Kunoichi, Mallbackens, and Klepp IL.
She moved to Melbourne City for the 2018-2019 season but came back to Brisbane in 2019. When departing the Roar in 2021, she went to English WSL side West Ham United for a season before joining Brann for a year.
The 32-year-old has scored 116 goals in her career, and will look to bring this experience to the squad to inspire younger players and contribute to the overall success of the team this coming season.
Yallop spoke of her excitement at returning home. “I’m excited to be home. Having a World Cup at home just brings the nostalgia back to returning to Brisbane Roar as well, where I did a fair chunk of my youth football. The timing couldn’t be better,” Yallop said.
“Not only how far we went in the tournament, but it’s great knowing there’s going to be more opportunities for younger players coming through, better training facilities, more coaches available to them, and the fact that it’s going to keep growing and going up from here is exciting,” she said.
With a wealth of experience under her belt, Yallop believes she can offer guidance to younger players in the squad to achieve great results this season.
“I have a lot to offer for younger players coming through and balancing out the team. Having a range in the age group really shapes the team so I’m looking forward to providing that experience,” the midfielder said.
“The very first inaugural season, winning the Championship is a very fond memory of mine, I am always chasing that feeling again. That will be our team’s aspirations this season and mine as well.”
Brisbane Roar head coach Garrath McPherson was delighted about the return of Yallop. “Tameka is a role model for the next generation of Brisbane Roar footballers. Having her return home to her family, friends and football club is something that is sure to excite the whole city.”
“She has been overseas competing in the world’s best competitions for a number of years and we are proud that she has returned to us to continue her career.”
“She played an important role for the Matildas across their World Cup campaign and no doubt loved being back home during this time. I am happy that she gets to continue her career with her loved ones nearby.”
McPherson describes Yallop as “the ultimate professional”, after achieving great things in her career so far as a world-class player. He looks forward to seeing what she will bring to the squad this season.
“She has a real opportunity to share this mindset within the locker room. As a central midfielder, creating and scoring goals have been trademarks of her career, and having her back in orange provides us another attacking weapon for the seasons ahead.”
Club by club signing news
Adelaide United
New Zealand forward, Hannah Blake, has joined Adelaide United ahead of the Liberty A-League 2023/24 season.
Blake, 23, won her first professional contract with Perth Glory in March, signing as an injury replacement for Rylee Baisden until the end of the 2022/23 A-League Women season.
The striker scored on debut in a 3-1 win against Western United in February, and she totalled three goals in six starts for the Glory. Her long-range strike against Melbourne City in a frantic 4-3 win was voted the Club’s goal of the season.
Blake was a member of the New Zealand side at the 2016 U-17 Women’s World Cup, the U-20 Women’s World Cup 2016, and again at the U-20 Women’s World Cup 2018.
Blake can’t wait to get started with her new Club in what will be her first full season on a professional list after finishing her college studies.
“I’m really pumped to be joining Adelaide which is a team you hear a lot about and there are some players also with similar previous experience here which will only help me settle in,” Blake said.
“I got a bit of a feel for the A-League last year which has only made me hungrier to properly launch my professional Club career,” Blake said.
“I’ve seen what Adelaide bring to the table and I’m extremely excited to hit the ground running in pre-season and with my new team.”
The dynamic and hard-working forward has been based in the USA since 2019 where she has starred for the University of Michigan Wolverines in NCAA Division 1, the highest level of US college football.
Head Coach, Adrian Stenta, hailed the signing as another great coup for the Club.
“We are thrilled to welcome Hannah to the Club after watching her perform in the US against some top players, and in her brief stint last season here in Australia,” Stenta said.
“To her credit she has shown commitment to her studies which is something we also value at Adelaide United, and now that Hannah can fully focus on football, the sky’s the limit.
“We really think she can flourish here in Adelaide and provide another passage to goal for us.”
Brisbane Roar
As well as the return of Tameka Yallop, Brisbane Roar have been busy this week in tying up two other deals.
First announced was former Matilda and defender Jenna McCormick who made her first appearance in the then W-League with Adelaide United in 2012 and later went to Canberra United where she spent two seasons.
The 28-year-old also declared her interest in the newly formed AFL Women’s competition in 2016, playing for Adelaide Crows when her A-League commitments did not overlap but ultimately chose to pursue football as a career.
The defender had stints at Melbourne Victory, Melbourne City, Adelaide United last season, and even spent a season at the Roar in 2018/19. In 2019, McCormick made her Matildas debut against Chile and currently has four caps for her country.
McCormick comes equipped with international experience after stints at Norwegian top football league Toppserien, Spanish club Real Betis, and the Danish Women’s League Elitedivisionen.
She looks forward to returning to the Roar, a club she has some great memories at and one where she played in one of her best seasons.
“I’m very excited to come up and play with Brisbane Roar again, I had such a great time the last time I was playing there in 2018. Really thrilled to have another opportunity to pull the orange on and personally, had one of my best seasons here so looking to replicate that,” McCormick said.
“Team success first and foremost, is definitely my mentality coming into this campaign. I’m due for some success and silverware so I’m feeling really inspired and confident to have a really good season with the group.”
Off the back of the World Cup, McCormick acknowledges the positive impact it had on Australia and hopes to see continued support for women’s football as the season approaches.
“I think this is a fantastic opportunity that the A-League has to take advantage of the traction that the Matilda’s have created in the World Cup. We established a love of football in so many people around the country that may have not ever watched football before, it’s hopefully going to filter through to the A-League and get more people to the games,” she said.
Head Coach Garrath McPherson looks forward to bringing a ‘fan favourite’ back to the club, with McCormick’s leadership skills and winning mentality.
“I’m super excited to bring a player of Jenna’s experience back to the football club. She was a fan favourite during her time in Brisbane and has spent the time between then and now in some of Europe’s biggest leagues,” McPherson said.
“She is a team player first and foremost. This quality is something that I have always admired in her. She has a very high football IQ and together with her organisational skills and winning mentality, she returns as a leader of our backline,” he added.
Also announced on Tuesday this week in Queensland was the arrival of Danish forward Hannah Holgersen.
Holgersen played football locally in Denmark before joining Brøndby Idræts Forening (BIF) after guidance from the U15 Youth National Team coaches to play more competitively, where she remained and played with their U18 team.
After spending time at a boarding school, she returned to football in 2017 and started playing in Copenhagen with B93 which saw them work their way up to the best league in Denmark, 3F Kvindeligaen.
In 2020, Holgersen joined AGF in the same league, before making the trip to Australia for something new. She made 25 appearances in the top-flight Danish League, scoring three goals during her time in the competition.
Holgersen made her Liberty A-League debut last year with Adelaide United, where she played for three minutes and then injured her MCL which saw her out of the game for the remainder of the season.
The Danish forward is eager to give the Liberty A-League another shot, now with the Brisbane Roar.
“I can’t wait to get started in Brisbane, so thankful for the opportunity and I just want to show myself and everyone else what I’m capable of,” Holgersen said. “I’m excited for a new and exciting environment and come out on the pitch full time again. I’m more inspired than ever, after watching [the] World Cup games,” she added.
“I really hope that Australia is ready to keep riding the women’s soccer wave and come out to the A-league games. I want to show this club what I can do, and help bringing some good results in.”
Head Coach Garrath McPherson is pleased to welcome a player with such strength in the forward line after Holgersen showcased this talent in the top-flight league in Denmark.
“Speed, power, and an attacking mindset are three key qualities needed for success in our competition. Hannah has shown all three across her career in the top-flight in Denmark,” McPherson said.
“Hannah provides us with an attacking weapon who can be deployed in a number of positions to create and score goals,” he added.
“She is so excited at an opportunity to transition from Denmark to the A-League, this eagerness to take her opportunity is something that really excites me and the coaching team.”
Central Coast Mariners
Central Coast Mariners have revealed the signing of forward Paige Hayward.
The 28-year-old joins the club from Adelaide United, having previously also spent time playing football in the United States and Austria. Born in Sydney, Hayward spent time in the US College System, playing with the University of Texas, before transferring to Texas Southern University. Spells with Houston Aces, Houston Dash, and Austrian side FFC Vorderland followed before a move to Adelaide United.
Head Coach Emily Husband is thrilled to have Hayward signed for the Central Coast this season, seeing her as an extremely valuable asset. “I am extremely excited to have someone like Paige joining up with the Mariners. She has a lot of experience both in the A-League and abroad and is a quality player to have on the team.
“Among many things she will bring versatility to the squad. There are a few different areas where you can utilise Paige which I think will help us to be an adaptable squad in how we want to play.”
Hayward is eager to get started ahead of the upcoming A-League Women’s season as the club return to the competition.
“I am thrilled to be a Central Coast Mariner. To be joining a program that I can see making so much progress in the women’s space, I wanted to be a part of it. Emily’s style and wanting the team to have a togetherness is exactly what I want from a group.
“The Central Coast is such a close-knit community and club which we want to keep building on. That has impressed me the most so far, we aren’t just individuals, we are a team. The club isn’t just a business from what I can see, it is a family.”
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory have announced nine players this week including some big names re-signing and a major new arrival from rivals Melbourne City.
With Kayla Morrison’s return and the arrival of Rachel Lowe from Sydney FC previously headlined, a plethora of further announcements then followed from the club.
The capture of Melbourne City defender Emma Checker is a major coup for the club. The 27-year-old joins the Club from Melbourne City, returning to Melbourne Victory for her second stint with the Club after making 133 A-League Women’s appearances and winning two Championships throughout her career.
Checker has represented her country at senior international seven times, making her Matildas debut in 2012 against Hong Kong, and has played domestically in France, Korea, and Iceland before returning to Australia.
Melbourne Victory Head Coach, Jeff Hopkins said he was looking forward to welcoming Checker to the squad.
“We’re thrilled to have Emma join the squad for the upcoming season. We know her capability as a defender and believe she will be a perfect fit for the squad. She’s a leader on and off the park and her experience at A-League Women’s level is invaluable.
“We’re continuing to build a squad for the upcoming season that strikes the balance between experience and up-and-coming talent but more importantly, a squad that will challenge for the Championship and we feel Emma will be an important part of this.”
Checker was also looking forward to returning to Victory. “I’m excited to be returning to Victory, the club that I first moved to Melbourne for back in 2013.
“I am looking forward to the move and being part of the new generation of Melbourne Victory, it is a project that really excites me. Jeff and the squad have built a dominant force over the last couple of seasons and for me coming into that, I hope to contribute to the team getting back to the top this season.”
Next to be announced was the retention on Lia Privitelli. The 29-year-old returns for her eighth season at Melbourne Victory after making 84 appearances and winning two Championships during her time at the Club.
An integral part of the leadership team, Privitelli played a major role in leading the side to the 2021/22 Championship and has continued to be an important contributor to the A-League Women’s side.
Melbourne Victory Director of Football, John Didulica said he was thrilled to have Privitelli extend her time at Victory. “Lia is an incredible professional who leads by example and we’re pleased to have her return to the Club for another season.
“She has been a mainstay in the side since 2016 and has personified the squad’s development into the team that it is today. Lia will continue to be a leader in this side and help develop our next generation of A-League Women’s players while delivering on the pitch at the same time.”
Privitelli was also excited for another season with Victory. “It’s great to be back with the Club and the team for another season and I can’t wait to get started,” Privitelli said.
“Victory is home for me and this group is like my family. We’ve built a team that is one of the most formidable in the league and there’s no doubt the goal is to win trophies this season.”
Young star Alana Murphy has re-signed at the club for another year.
The 18-year-old returns for her third season with the senior A-League Women’s side, first signing in 2021 as the Club’s first graduate from Melbourne Victory’s Elite Girls Program.
Murphy has made 31 appearances over her two seasons at Victory, being involved in the Club’s 2021/22 Championship run, and made 18 appearances during the 2022/23 season which saw her play a major role in the side’s finals push.
Melbourne Victory Director of Football, John Didulica said Murphy has continued to impress during her time at Victory.
“We’re proud to have our first Elite Girls Program graduate move into her third season with the A-League Women’s squad. Each season, she has continued to develop and progress as a footballer and has become a vital cog in the team’s midfield. We’re looking forward to seeing one of the country’s best midfield prospects continue to progress and help our squad achieve the ultimate success this season.”
Murphy was also glad to be returning to the squad for the upcoming season. “I’m thrilled to be able to put on the Victory shirt and represent the Club once again this season,” Murphy said.
“Victory is home to me and the last couple of seasons working with Jeff and the whole squad has given me the drive to continue to improve and succeed with this team.”
Another key new arrival at Melbourne Victory is that of former Brisbane Roar star Jamilla Rankin.
The 20-year-old made 45 appearances for Brisbane Roar over three seasons. The fullback has represented her country at senior international level, making her Matildas debut against Spain in 2022, and has been a regular in the youth international setup, impressing across her young career.
Melbourne Victory Head Coach, Jeff Hopkins said he was looking forward to seeing what Rankin can produce in the Victory environment.
“We’re thrilled to have Jamilla join us here at Melbourne Victory and we believe she will be an important asset for the upcoming season. Jamilla is a tenacious, versatile defender who will complement our defensive group. She can play multiple positions across the back four and can be lethal going forward as well.
“With Jessika Nash on the other side of the field, we believe this young and up-and-coming group of fullbacks will be able to prosper here at Melbourne Victory.”
Rankin is also looking forward to her new challenge in Victoria. “I’m excited to be joining the team in Melbourne and can’t wait to get started. Talking to Jeff and the players, they are building an exciting team to challenge for the Championship and I feel this will be a great environment for me to continue my career.
“I’m looking forward to joining a new environment in Melbourne and delivering week-in, week-out for the team.”
Jeff Hopkins’ side rounded off their announcements with the news that two other exciting young stars will be back at the club for the new season.
Talented teenager and fan favourite Paige Zois has returned for a third season at the club. Zois has made 18 appearances with the Club, playing a role in the 2021/22 Championship and is a youth international representative.
Melbourne Victory Director of Football, John Didulica said he was pleased to see the 19-year-old extend her time with Melbourne Victory.
“As another graduate of our Elite Girls Program, we’re thrilled to have a young prospect like Paige continue to be part of our system. Each season, Paige has made important steps in establishing herself in the squad and we can not wait to see more from her this season,”
Zois was also excited to be returning to the squad. “I’m thrilled to be extending my time at Melbourne Victory and I can’t wait to return to work with this group ahead of the upcoming season.
“This group means so much to me. They have been an important part of my development on and off the field and I want to achieve more goals with them this season.”
Following hot on the heels was the news that Ava Briedis has been retained. The 17-year-old heads into her second season with Melbourne Victory’s A-League Women’s side after making 11 appearances in her first senior campaign.
A graduate of the Club’s Elite Girls Program, Briedis made her first start for the senior team in the season opener against Western United and started in the side’s semi-final against Sydney FC in April.
Melbourne Victory Director of Football, John Didulica said he was excited to continue to see Briedis’ development at Victory. “We’re thrilled to have Ava continue her journey at Melbourne Victory. She stepped up to the senior squad last season and made great progress as she continues to grow as a footballer.
“Seeing players graduate from our Elite Girls Program to our A-League Women’s squad is incredibly rewarding for everyone at Melbourne Victory and we look forward to Ava and many more female players coming through our program and into the senior women’s side.”
Briedis was also excited to be back for another season.
“Last season was an incredible experience for me and I’m looking forward to continuing to develop at Melbourne Victory. Working with Jeff and the team every day was a big learning experience for me and to play a role in a side that has achieved so much over the past couple of seasons was amazing.”
Melbourne Victory’s final capture so far this week is Japanese forward, Kurea Okino who has been in outstanding form for Boroondara-Carey Eagles in the NPLW Victoria this season.
The 24-year-old has previously played professionally in Japan for Vegalta Sendai and Tokiwagi Gakuen. Okino has taken the NPLW Victoria by storm this season, scoring an incredible 31 goals in 21 games.
Melbourne Victory Head Coach Jeff Hopkins said he was looking forward to seeing what Okino can produce at A-League Women’s level.
“We’re incredibly pleased to be able to secure Kurea’s services for the upcoming season. What she has produced in the NPLW Victoria has been incredible to watch and we have no doubt that the transition to A-League Women’s will be seamless for her. She’s a striker’s striker. Her nose for goal is obvious in the numbers she’s produced and we believe she has the quality to reproduce that for our squad this season.”
Okino was also thrilled to be joining her first professional Club in Australia. “I’m excited to be joining Melbourne Victory and testing myself in the A-League Women’s competition,” the striker said.
“I had a great season in the NPLW and the next challenge for me is to continue this form with Melbourne Victory in the A-League Women’s. Speaking to Jeff, the team is hungry for more and to achieve success this season and I’m excited to be part of the squad and the A-League Women’s competition.”
Newcastle Jets
Newcastle Jets have announced the major signing of striker Melina Ayres for the 2023/24 A-League Women’s season from Melbourne Victory.
Ayres has scored 30 goals in 84 appearances across all competitions with both Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory and has previously represented the Junior and Young Matildas.
Originally from Murrumbeena in Melbourne’s east, Ayres started her footballing career by playing with Glen Eira Phoenix and then Eastern Lions. She made her debut in the W-League for Melbourne City in 2015, coming on as a substitute and scoring in a 6-0 win against Sydney FC.
Ayres went on to win the 2017 W-League Grand Final. Coming on as a substitute against Perth Glory which was resulted in a 2-0 win.
Melina has also had huge success at NPL level in Victoria, claiming back to back Women’s golden boot awards for 2016 (24 goals) and again in 2017 (40 goals).
From 2017 onwards, the star striker has played with Melbourne Victory where she has claimed a Premiership for the 2018/19 season. Ayres would then go on to win a Championship twice with the Victory in 2020/21 and again for the 2021/22 season. In 2022, Ayres tested herself abroad by playing with Breiðablik in Iceland’s first division.
Ayres is excited for the challenge ahead with the Newcastle Jets and is eager to get underway in Newcastle.
“I’m excited to join Newcastle Jets and link up with Gary van Egmond for a new phase of my career. This is a new challenge for me and I’m looking forward to contributing to the growth and success of the Jets A-League Women’s program.
I’m also anticipating enjoying life in Newcastle, finding the best surfing spots and embracing the football community in the Hunter region.”
Perth Glory
Perth Glory have confirmed that Head Coach Alex Epakis has signed a new, two-season deal with the club.
Epakis joined Glory ahead of the 2020/21 campaign and has led the team to fifth and sixth-place finishes in the last two years.
The 32-year-old also gained further invaluable experience by taking up a temporary position with the Philippines national team which saw him provide scouting and analysis expertise for Head Coach Alen Stajcic ahead of and during this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
He is now relishing the prospect of building upon the significant progress that has been made over the last three years and propelling the club into the Finals for the first time since 2019.
“I am very excited to re-sign with the club,” he said. “During my time at Glory to date, I have really enjoyed and valued the opportunity to be the Head Coach of a proud team and a great group of people. My focus continues to be set on achieving a level of success that the club, team, staff, and supporters can be really proud of.
“I am really looking forward to the responsibility of leading and working with the group now and into the future. The playing group continues to evolve and I am excited by the great hunger they have to improve and push the boundaries to build a distinct identity that competes to win football matches.
“The club is putting the right pieces in place to support our team goals and I have no doubt that this will continue into the foreseeable future. I am looking forward to the responsibility and challenges ahead.”
Club CEO Anthony Radich, meanwhile, is confident that Epakis will continue to move the club’s women’s program in a positive trajectory over the next two seasons.
“Alex has done a fantastic job since he joined the club in 2020, often under trying circumstances and we are extremely pleased to have retained his services,” he said.
“He is one of the brightest young coaches in Australian football and the progress our women’s squad has made under him is clear to see. Since first taking up the role, he has been very clear on his vision to develop young players and provide them with a clear pathway and opportunity to play senior football with Perth Glory.”
Western United
Western United have announced that head coach Mark Torcaso has agreed a deal to become the next head coach of the Philippines Women’s National Team – a job he will be doing in conjunction with his existing role at the A-League Women club.
On the back of the Philippines’ stunning debut in the FIFA Women’s World Cup – where Western United stars Angie Beard and Jaclyn Sawicki featured prominently – Torcaso will hope to continue building the nation’s growing reputation in women’s football.
Torcaso said the chance to manage on the international stage was impossible to give up, admitting his anticipation to get started.
“It is truly an honour to take up this position with the Philippines. It is a dream come true to be taking on an international coaching opportunity. This opportunity is one that we couldn’t pass up and we are incredibly grateful for the support of everyone at Western United in making this work.
“The Philippines team has been a great football story over the last year and it is really exciting to be able to work with this group. I can’t wait to get started and bring more success to this nation.”
Torcaso will bring Isuzu UTE A-League Men legend and Western United Under 23’s Assistant Coach Andrew Durante along with him as an assistant coach, with both men remaining in their respective roles at Western United.
Western United General Manager of Football Mal Impiombato hailed this as a monumental moment for the Club to have Torcaso and Durante on the world stage.
“We are immensely proud as a football club that Mark and Andrew have been given this opportunity on the back of their hard work and excellence in their positions,” he said.
“Mark showed his talent as a coach with us last season in getting the girls to the Grand Final in the inaugural season and he is richly deserving of this opportunity.We are delighted to allow them both to take this opportunity while remaining committed to Western United and we look forward to watching their progress with the Philippines in the future.”
This appointment is another indication of the growing reputation of the A-Leagues. With a number of young players moving overseas over the last 12 months, Torcaso and Durante’s export as coaches is reflective of the heights that the A-Leagues continue to reach and aspire to.
Torcaso and Durante will enter camp next week to familiarise themselves with the squad ahead of a first round of matches in September and 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers in October.
That will see Torcaso go toe-to-toe with Tony Gustavsson and the Matildas in Perth, providing him and Durante with a special moment in their careers.
Torcaso has been one of the leading managers in Victorian women’s football since taking over Calder United’s inaugural side in 2016.
After winning a remarkable 11 trophies at Calder, Torcaso stepped into the role at Western United and carried the team all the way to the Liberty A-League Women Grand Final, winning the Coach of the Year award.
Western United has added Keiwa Hieda to its roster for the 2023/24 season, with the Japanese winger set to become one of the most exciting players in the competition.
Joining on a scholarship contract, Hieda has shown her supreme quality after breaking out in Japan, moving to Calder United in NPLW Victoria having top-scored in VPLW last season at Preston Lions.
The 23-year-old has carried that form into the top division with Calder, scoring nine goals heading in the regular season to help guide the team into the finals. Her dominance also continued in the NIKE F.C. Cup where she won the Teresa Deas Medal for the player of the match as Calder defeated FC Bulleen Lions in the final.
Making her first venture into professional football, Hieda is set to bring an abundance of enthusiasm and positivity into the squad.
“I’m really excited to play for Western United. Speed and dribbling is my strong points and I will take advantage of my strengths. I can’t wait to play for Western United,” she said.
“I learned a lot of tactics from the coaches at Calder, and it’s really reassuring to be able to play with them again. I know a lot of teammates and understand their playing style, so I want to communicate with them more and win the title together.”
Western United Head Coach Mark Torcaso hailed the continued impact of the Western-Calder United partnership and said Hieda will be like no other player in the competition.
“Keiwa is in that rare breed of player that plays every game like it’s her first while playing every game like it’s her last at the same time,” he said.
“She has such an appetite and joy for the game, always playing with a smile on her face and that is represented in the way she plays on the pitch. Daring, cheeky, brilliant skill, and an outstanding desire to work for the team off the ball.
“We identified her as a big talent to bring into the Calder system and see if we could bring her in at Western, and she has shown she is more than at the level. Our fans are in for a treat with Keiwa, she is so unique and will be a joy to watch for us this season.”
Also at Western United this week, it was revealed that young stars Natasha Dakic, Silver Bell Morris, and Alyssa Dall’Oste will remain part of the club for the new season.
Dakic made 11 appearances for United in her first season as a professional, starting twice while also appearing in the Semi-Final win over Sydney FC.
The talented centre-back has returned to Calder United in NPLW and has quickly resumed her form in that competition as she aims for a heightened role with Western United this season.
Dakic said she is looking forward to being part of United’s follow-up attempt after a brilliant debut campaign in the Liberty A-League.
“I am excited to be a part of Western for a second season. Although we had a lot of success last season, there’s still continued work to do. I am motivated to continue working hard and to achieve more with the team this A-League season.”
Dall’Oste came on for her maiden appearance in professional football in February, playing the closing stages of United’s 6-0 win over Newcastle Jets.
After shining in NPLW with Calder United over a number of seasons, Dall’Oste made her first leap into a professional environment and pushed Hillary Beall in training throughout the campaign.
Remaining one of the state’s top young shot-stoppers, Dall’Oste is eager to continue learning and putting herself forward for minutes in the Liberty A-League. “I’m thrilled to be back at Western this season. It’s exciting to stay and be a part of the continuing growth of the Club,” she said.
“Last season was a great learning experience as my first professional season, so I’m eager to hopefully earn my way into a more regular role this season.”
Morris was the youngest player in Western United’s inaugural Liberty A-League squad, signing as an 18-year-old after impressing in NPLW Victoria with FV Emerging.
Niggling injuries throughout the campaign prevented Morris from making her professional bow, but her ability shone through in training and she will be eager to step out onto the pitch next season.
“With the success the Club had last year, just being in that environment was very cool. I’m really looking forward to the coming season and working towards my debut for the Club,” Morris said.
Western United General Manager of Football Mal Impiombato spoke of the importance of keeping hold of the Club’s talented young players as the side develops beyond its inaugural season.
“We are dedicated to ensuring that our first season in the Liberty A-League is only the beginning of our story and that we continue to improve each season,” he said.
“As a result, it is vital that we are able to retain top young talents like Natasha, Alyssa and Silver Bell and we are pleased to have them continue their professional football journey with us.”
Dakic, Dall’Oste, and Morris continue United’s squad building for next season with 12 players now confirmed for next season and plenty more to come before pre-season starts next month. Other players already confirmed on their squad include Chloe Logarzo, Angie Beard, Hannah Keane, and Catherine Zimmerman.
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