Four clubs announce players plus there’s a big blow for a key member of the Wellington Phoenix squad (5/9/23).
Above: Lily Alfeld in action for Wellington Phoenix in 2021/22. She will miss the whole of the coming season with injury once more in a real blow for the club. Photo: Wollongong Mercury.
The Wellington Phoenix women will be without their inspirational leader Lily Alfeld for the 2023-24 A-League Women season.
Experienced goalkeeper Alfeld, club captain for the women’s first two seasons, won’t be able to play for the Phoenix in the upcoming campaign as she requires surgery on her back.
“It’s quite heartbreaking,” Alfeld said. “Going through last season with injuries this was the season I was looking forward to and had my sights set on.
“Unfortunately it hasn’t worked out that way, but at the same time it gives me a lot of time to get myself right, do the rehab thoroughly and properly, and there’s no time pressure.”
Alfeld was the team’s first signing in 2021 and was in goal for all but one of the Nix’s 14 matches in their inaugural season, leading the team to breakthrough wins over Canberra United and Western Sydney Wanderers.
Unfortunately the former age-group international missed the entirety of the 2022-23 campaign as a result of off-season knee surgery and the back injury, which started to trouble her in January and then flared up again in April just before she was due to join the Football Ferns for their pre-World Cup camp.
“It’s been incredibly frustrating as we were hoping the injury would heal with time. I’ve given it six to seven months, but I haven’t had the progress I’d hoped. The next step is surgery and hopefully that’ll mean I’ll be able to return to football next year. It’s looking really positive. My surgeon has operated on a lot of athletes who’ve been able to make a full recovery.”
Despite the frustrations, Alfeld remained a key part of the Phoenix women’s squad last season and could be heard cheering on the team from the stands at Sky Stadium.
Alfeld was recognised at the club’s awards night in May, when she was presented with the prestigious Lloyd Morrison Spirit of the Phoenix award.
New women’s head coach Paul Temple wants Alfeld to still be involved with the Phoenix this season.
“We’re talking to Lily about a role at the club and hopefully we’ll still have her around the team environment,” Temple said. “A team culture is built around its people and she’s an amazing person. We’d love to find a way in which Lily can still have a home here at the Phoenix.
“The best scenario is that we have her at NZCIS, and she can continue to do her rehab here and continue to have a positive influence on the group.”
Adelaide United
Experienced central defender, Maruschka Waldus has signed a two-year contract extension with Adelaide United.
Waldus has made a total of 29 appearances with three goals in her two seasons at Adelaide to date. She was the only outfield player to play every minute of their last Liberty A-League campaign, with her wealth of experience supporting Adelaide at the back.
The Dutch defender impressed immediately in her first stint with Adelaide in 2020/21, scoring two goals in 11 appearances on her way to claiming the Dianne Alagich Medal for an exceptional season.
Waldus, 30, believes United are building towards something special, making the choice to remain a Red an easy one.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to stay on with United. It’s a great opportunity to keep the momentum from the World Cup on a high and I hope we can leave a legacy and inspire a new generation. I’m passionate about the club. I hope that with my experience I can help the team and club to win prizes…and it’s exciting to help younger players to develop around me.”
Waldus has played all around the globe, and in recent times she featured for PSV Women in the 2021/22 Champions League against Arsenal.
Head Coach, Adrian Stenta said: “Maruschka is an important player for us and her experience is one you can build a backline – and team around.
“She is a popular member of the playing squad and always brings a lot to the group, possessing a great deal of knowledge in the game, as well as a high level of leadership and professionalism. We are thrilled she will remain with us for the next two seasons.”
Brisbane Roar
Brisbane Roar will welcome back young shot-stopper Isabella Shuttleworth on a scholarship contract for the 2023/24 A-League Women season.
Shuttleworth began training with the Roar in 2021 before signing her first professional contract with the club ahead of the 2022/23 season. Her debut came in the home defeat against Adelaide United, taking over for an injured Mia Bailey before starting the remaining four games.
The 20-year-old looks forward to what the coming season holds: “I’m striving to get a full contract throughout the season or next year. But I’m here to support the girls and create a good competitive training environment. This is my fourth season with the Roar, and I feel each year is a progression from the last…I’m seeing myself grow both on and off the pitch which is very exciting.”
Shuttleworth aims to continue developing and play as many minutes as she can to secure a full contract in the future.
“I’m very excited to get training again with the girls, I’ve really missed it. Considering I’m scholarship, I have something to prove and fight for. My main goal is to break into the match day squad at least a couple of times,” the goalkeeper said. “But that all starts at training so I’m going to focus on working harder each session and hopefully Garrath sees the hard work.”
Head Coach Garrath McPherson describes Shuttleworth as having “the unique ‘team first’ mindset that is so important for goalkeepers.”
“They play in a position that is rarely substituted, selflessness and a growth mindset are so important for young goalkeepers to progress as professionals,” he said.
“Bella possesses these qualities and has already had more league experiences than that of her peers. She is an important part of our football club moving forward.”
Newcastle Jets
Newcastle Jets revealed on Tuesday the signing of American goalkeeper Izzy Nino for the 2023/24 season.
Originally from Northville, Michigan in the United States, the 24-year-old joins the club from the University of Michigan where she has spent the previous six seasons.
Nino is excited to be linking up with Gary van Egmond’s side ahead of the new A-League Women’s season.
“This is a very exciting time for women’s football in Australia and I look forward to being a part of it here in Newcastle.
I am grateful for the opportunity to play football in a new country and experience a new lifestyle as I prepare for my first year of professional football.”
Perth Glory
Perth Glory today announced that Philippines international defender/midfielder Jessika Cowart has joined the club for the 2023/24 season.
The 23-year-old, who is equally accomplished as a centre-back or holding midfielder, played in each of the Philippines’ three games at this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup to take her tally of senior international caps past the 20-mark.
A standout performer at US collegiate level for the University of Washington Huskies between 2017 and 2021, Cowart gained her first experience of European football in the Turkish Women’s Football Super League with Caykur Rizespor.
A move to Swedish top-flight club IFK Kalmar followed earlier this year where she established herself as a first-team regular ahead of her involvement with the Philippines at the World Cup.
Glory’s new recruit is now excited to gain her first taste of A-League football. “After multiple conversations with the coaching staff,” she said, “I was impressed with their commitment not only to us as players on the field, but also as people off the field, and that is a big reason why I signed for Glory.
“I am highly impressed by the environment that has been built and it’s clear to me that this is a top organization and I’m honoured to be a part of it. The A-League is growing fast and furious and is a very competitive league. I hope to not only represent Perth well throughout the season, but also to help bring home a championship.”
Glory Head Coach Alex Epakis believes that Cowart’s range of qualities make her an ideal addition to the squad.
“Jess was a player who stood out to me during my time with the Philippines national team at the Women’s World Cup,” he said.
“She comes to us after a great personal experience from that World Cup campaign and past exposure to some strong competition from her recent time playing in the Swedish top division. Jess has a really strong technical skill-set which will allow us to build up and start our attacks from deep areas and help us be the type of attacking team we want to be.
“She is a versatile player who can play across midfield and defence and has a great tactical understanding of the game. Moreover, her character and energy is very infectious and I have no doubt she will be a strong and positive personality within the group this season.”
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