30/8/23
Above: Young Matildas star Naomi Chinnama has re-signed with Melbourne City. Photo: Football Australia.
Melbourne City have today announced the re-signing of Australian youth internationals Daniela Galic and Naomi Chinnama.
The talented duo have both re-committed to City, signing one-year contract extensions that will keep them in City colours for the 2023/24 A-League Women’s season.
Young Matildas star Galic returns to City following her first professional season in the A-League Women’s competition where she showcased dazzling feet and wonderful technical ability.
The 17-year-old made 17 appearances, including 13 starts for Head Coach Dario Vidosic’s team, netting two goals and registering three assists.
Reflecting on her decision to stay at the club, Galic said: “I really enjoyed my first season and it really helped having a great team and coaching staff at the club. I learned a lot and am really looking forward to getting back on the pitch again.
“I decided to re-sign at City because I feel it provides me with the best environment to continue to develop and the professionalism at the club is unmatched. I can’t wait to get back into pre-season training with my team and hopefully build towards a successful season.”
Joining Galic to re-sign for the club is Australian U23 defender Chinnama. She returns to the club following a season which saw her become an integral member of City’s line-up. In her third season at the club, the central defender started all but one game until a soft tissue injury saw her sidelined for an extended period.
An intelligent defender who loves a battle at the back, the 19-year-old’s return is a huge boost to Vidosic’s side. On extending her time at the club Chinnama said: “It’s great having the momentum of the World Cup shifting over to the A-Leagues. So many Matildas have honed their skills here which has allowed them to compete on the world stage.
“Now it’s a rising platform for people to see new and upcoming players which has definitely made me more driven to give my all for Melbourne City.
“I can’t wait to get out there this season and pick up from where we left off, with silverware as our primary focus. I’m looking forward to meeting some new teammates and welcoming some familiar faces back into the squad.”
Melbourne City head coach Dario Vidosic spoke of his delight at securing the two youngsters for another campaign. “We’re very pleased to have both Dani and Naomi return for the upcoming season.
“In what was her first year in professional football, Dani was quick to show us all her incredible talent and her desire to learn and keep improving her game. She shows composure beyond her years, is technically elite and a really important member of our team.
“Naomi is coming off a really impressive season at City and we’re excited to see her continue to develop into a strong and reliable player for our team.”
Perth Glory
Perth Glory have secured the services of livewire West Australian forward Tia Stonehill for the 2023/24 season.
The 26-year-old was previously on Glory’s books in 2018/19 and 2020, before going on to establish herself as one of the most prolific and complete forwards in the NPLW WA competition.
She claimed the NPLW WA Gold Medal (Player of the Year) after helping Murdoch University Melville FC secure a remarkable league and cup treble in 2021 and has taken out the Golden Boot for the current season having scored 24 times for Balcatta Etna.
Stonehill is now relishing the prospect of showcasing her attacking talents at ALW level. “It feels great to be a part of the club again and I’m honoured to be representing my hometown,” she said.
“There has been a lot of growth at the club, in the A-League, and in Women’s football across the world, so I’m really excited for the season ahead and grateful for this opportunity.
“I’m hoping to continue growing and developing as a person and as a player and to keep improving my game. I’m striving to become an influential, impactful, and key player amongst the squad, and am ready to give my all to help the team succeed. I believe that this team can and will have a lot of success this season.
“We have a great group of players who are all committed to achieving the same goal and I know we will want to show everyone what we are capable of and play finals football.”
Head Coach Alex Epakis, meanwhile, believes that the club’s latest ALW recruit has the potential to play an important role in the upcoming campaign.
“Tia has had an exceptional NPLW season here in our local competition,” he said. “From the first round of the NPLW competition onwards, she has been a standout performer with goals, effort, and determination.
“In addition to her speed and directness in attack, she has the quality of scoring different types of goals which is important for us as a team and the focus on the attacking style of play we want to have this season.
“We need a good balance of attacking weapons and Tia certainly brings more quality to our squad. She has worked extremely hard to have this opportunity and her resilience and determination has not gone unnoticed.
“I am looking forward to coaching Tia and working closely with her to help take her game to another level.”
Stonehill’s season in the NPLW WA has been all the more remarkable considering this is her first season back from serious injury. The attacker fractured bones on her spine that connect muscles to the back, leaving her unsure how her future life would be impacted, never mind her ability to play football.
Impetus’ Ben Gilby, who covers the NPLW WA league in depth each week, interviewed Tia Stonehill back in June about her career, injury, and superb return. It can be read here: https://impetusfootball.org/2023/06/14/tia-stonehill-finding-her-feet-again-after-overcoming-major-challenges/
The signing of Stonehill brings the number of players at the club who have played NPLW WA football this season to eight, and with other local players such as Hana Lowry, Morgan Aquino, and Bella Wallhead in the Glory squad, there is a strong Western Australian flavour to the team this year.
Adelaide United
Adelaide United’s record appearance holder Emily Condon has signed a contract extension with the Club.
Condon debuted as a 15-year-old in the 2013/14 season as United’s youngest-ever player, and she proceeded to score her first goal in her second match a week later. The midfielder has now played a grand total of 90 games for the Reds.
“I’m totally honoured to have played the most games for my hometown team, Adelaide and I am alongside some very distinguished players of the Club,” Condon said.
“But our work is yet to be done and team success is the ultimate goal, that being to deliver United a first Championship. It’s what drives me, and I fully believe the squad we are building can deliver that.”
On paper, The Port Pirie local had her best season to date in 2020/21, with four goals from 12 games, but she was also instrumental in United’s maiden Finals appearance the year after.
She had an interrupted 2022/23 season through injury, playing just six of the 18 games. With a full pre-season under her belt, the 24-year-old can boost United for the new season with her wealth of experience.
“It was a frustrating time for me last season through injury, but these moments only help you build resilience and return stronger,” admitted Condon. “But the body’s coming good now, and I can’t wait to get back on the pitch with the girls.”
Head Coach, Adrian Stenta, highlighted the importance of Condon’s signing. “Emily is an integral part of our squad, and she really drives what we’re about,” he said.
“She is one of our most experienced players and we were missing that in those crucial match moments last season. Emily never gives in, and we’re looking forward to her playing more games this season and contributing to our midfield engine room.”
Brisbane Roar
Brisbane Roar have further bolstered its 2023/24 A-League Women squad with the signing of American goal-scorer Mia Corbin.
Corbin played college football for Berkeley, University of California, for four years from 2016-2019. Seattle born and raised, in 2021 she started to play professionally with OL Reign for half a year before seeking a new experience.
In 2022, the 26-year-old spent a year in Costa Rica where she played in the Liga de Fútbol de Primera División with Alajuelense W, scoring over 20 goals to get the Golden Boot and assist them in winning the Championship. At the end of 2022, Corbin joined Parma Calcio in Italy for six months where she scored three goals, made two assists, and 12 appearances.
The striker looks forward to coming to Brisbane after the buzz of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and pursue a new opportunity to push herself in the A-League Women.
“I am very excited. I’m still in a bit of shock. Australia wasn’t even on my radar and then my agent said there was an opportunity at Brisbane Roar. I thought, ‘the World Cup was just there so football is hot’. I feel like more people are getting more invested and wanting to support female sports. I am excited to be part of a new team and new environment,” Corbin said.
After her experiences in Costa Rica and Italy, she was able to gain experience from players from all around the world and continue developing as a striker.
“I was happy to be able to explore different countries and learn football from so many people from different countries and national teams. There were so many high-level players, and it was great to learn from them,” she said.
“I love that everyone loves football so much so we’re all competitive but also positive. I was able to grow in those environments because I was learning from my peers along with my coaches. I thrive the best when I’m able to work with my teammates.
“I can already feel the goals that the club wants to achieve, and I would like to be a part of that. I’ve mentally reset and now ready to come into a new environment and push myself and learn from my peers and coaches and be the best for the season.”
Head Coach Garrath McPherson is pleased to welcome Corbin to the squad in the striker role to bring power and goal-scoring drive to the forward line. “Mia is a goal-scorer. She is quick, strong, and carries the ball well. All three are important attributes in our competition,” McPherson said.
“Mia is determined to become a better footballer. She has shown this drive through her moves abroad to chase football at a time when many took time off. This has given her experiences many of her peers don’t have. She has won a championship, won a Golden Boot, and played professionally in two countries.”
Newcastle Jets
Newcastle Jets today revealed the signing of goalkeeper Kiara Rochaix for the 2023/24 A-League Women’s season.
Rochaix joins the club from NSW NPL side Blacktown City FC where she won the Player of the Season award in 2022.
Originally from Bowral in the Southern Highlands, Rochaix also has playing experience in England with tier seven side Woking FC as well as Macarthur Rams.
The goalkeeper has previously represented the Australian Schoolgirls in 2017 and 2018. Rochaix is excited at the chance to join the Jets for the following season.
“I’m honoured to have signed for Newcastle Jets, and look forward to working with Gary van Egmond, his coaching staff, and my new teammates. I’m excited for this new chapter and challenge, and helping to contribute to a successful season for the club.
After the huge success of the Matildas and the women’s World Cup, I think this could be a huge season for women’s football in Australia. I look forward to being a part of it and I just can’t wait to get started.”
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