8/9/23
Above: Hannah Wilkinson in action for Melbourne City last season. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
Melbourne City today announced the key re-signing of Football Ferns World Cup hero, Hannah Wilkinson.
Wilkinson returns to City for her third season with the Club, fresh from scoring for New Zealand at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, her third goal on that stage.
Wilkinson’s match-winning goal against Norway at Eden Park saw the Football Ferns register New Zealand’s first-ever World Cup win, Men’s or Women’s, in the opening match of the tournament.
The former City Player of the Year will be looking to build on her goalscoring form as the team strive to go one step further in search of silverware this season.
The NZ international was delighted to put pen to paper again: “Playing with City is my favourite kind of football and I get so much joy out of playing with this team.“We play a really nice brand of football here and it’s a great team to play as a striker in with so much service from the quality players further up the pitch.
“The World Cup was an absolute dream. Women’s football is only going to get bigger and bigger off the back of it which is great for the A-Leagues. There are so many young girls who are now interested in Women’s football which is great to see and we hope to have more support than ever this season.”
City head coach Dario Vidosic was thrilled at the news: “We are pleased to have Hannah back in City colours. We all saw how she performed on the world’s biggest stage, and we can’t wait to see her form continue into the upcoming season.
“We’re building a really strong force in attack and Hannah’s return will be important for that. She’s a footballer who has demonstrated her quality both in the league and internationally, and we’re looking forward to seeing more of that this season.”
Canberra United
Exciting young talent Mary Stanic-Floody has signed a one-year contract with Canberra United for the 2023/24 season as the team from the National Capital continue to add to the squad ahead of the new campaign.
The midfielder made a dozen appearances for Sydney FC in the Liberty A-League during the 2022/23 season, mostly as an impact substitute, and made her starting debut in the competition in a home match against Wellington Phoenix in Round 17.
A box-to-box talent, whose dynamism and enthusiasm characterise her game, Stanic-Floody is sure to thrive in the environment at McKellar Park.
“I am pleased to be able to add Mary to our roster for the forthcoming Liberty A-League season,” Canberra United Head Coach Njegosh Popovich commented.
“As a Young Matildas international, Mary is definitely one for the future, as well as the here and now. She has exceptional control, a tough streak which is vital for someone playing in that role, as well as an industry and graft that stands her above many of her peers.
“I have no doubt that our supporters will enjoy watching her all-action performances and that she will be a valuable addition to the playing group.”
Stanic-Floody claimed a winner’s medal from finishing top of the A-League Women final league standings last season, is looking forward to continuing her burgeoning career in green in Canberra.
“I am very much looking forward to arriving in Canberra and being a part of this great club for the new Liberty A-League season,” Stanic-Floody said.
“As a young footballer I am constantly learning, and I feel that Canberra is the best place for me to take that next step in my career. The club have a wonderful history of promoting young players and giving them the chance, and I am aiming to take mine once it comes.
“I have had experience of playing at McKellar Park in the blue of Sydney FC last season, and the atmosphere was superb. I can’t wait to pull on the green shirt in front of those supporters and have their backing and I am grateful for the opportunity to do so.”
Perth Glory
Perth Glory today revealed that Philippines international attacking midfielder Quinley Quezada has joined the club’s A-League Women squad for the 2023/24 season.
The 26-year-old has been a key figure for the Philippines in recent years, helping them win the AFF Women’s Championship, reach the semi-finals of the AFC Asian Cup in 2022 and then qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time in the nation’s history.
At club level, meanwhile, she followed a stellar US collegiate career by playing in both Japan for JEF United Chiba and in Serbia with Red Star Belgrade.
The Philippines’ all-time record goalscorer is now looking forward to embarking upon a new stage of her football journey in the A-League.
“I’m very excited to be joining Perth Glory this season,” she said. “Aside from Perth being a beautiful community to live in, I’ve heard so many admirable things about the club and team.
“I followed the Women’s team last season and they made a great run in the league. For this upcoming season, I’m hoping the team will grow into a strong unit and be constantly gunning for that number one spot.
“Personally, I want to continue learning, improving my technical skills, and trying to be a leader within the team in any form that I can. I’m looking forward to joining the team and fighting for the championship!”
Glory Head Coach Alex Epakis, meanwhile, is looking forward to being reunited with a player he previously worked with during his time as part of the Philippines coaching staff earlier this year.
“Quinley is another player (along with fellow-new Glory recruit Jessica Cowart) whose character and football qualities I had the opportunity to witness first-hand during the Women’s World Cup,” he said.
“She is a senior member within the Philippines Women’s national team and has a strong level of versatility to her game across multiple attacking positions. I have been conscious of the style of play we want to have this season and having various attacking threats and types of players is an important part of that vision.
“Quinley will provide us with different attacking qualities and will certainly build a great combination with our other players in attack. She has a great demeanour and mindset and is a very focused individual who can bring the best out of her teammates off the field.”
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