Perth RedStar head coach Carlos Vega Mena has just guided his side to a second successive NPLW WA league title and Top Four Cup triumph. Under his leadership, the club have only lost a handful of matches as they pursue their quest for excellence. Impetus’ Ben Gilby spoke to Carlos about another successful campaign (23/10/23).
Above: Perth RedStar celebrate their Top Four Cup Final success over Perth SC last month. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
It has been another excellent season for Perth RedStar. After defeat in the Night Series Cup Final and in their opening NPLW WA match, the defending champions rode up through the gears to win more silverware whilst playing a consistent brand of excellent football.
Whilst outsiders may think there was a hint of deja vu about the NPLW WA in 2023 with the same clubs in the top four and the same champions and Top Four Cup winners, the campaign developed into a thrilling set of twists and turns, which ended with RedStar’s outstanding ability to punish their rivals for not taking opportunities once more.
Head coach Carlos Vega Mena knew that after sweeping up all four pieces of silverware in 2022, his team had a major target on their back this year.
“It was always going to be hard to match our success from the 2022 season. There was a lot of doubt within the NPLW community as to whether we could pull it off again, but the squad are always up for a challenge and like to face them head-on, which is exactly what they did this season. What we managed to achieve in 2023 reflects the dedication and commitment from the coaching staff and the squad as a whole.
“We were thrown a few curve balls with the loss of players for a variety of reasons but were able to work through this as a group. There’s no doubt about it, we had to work hard to secure both the League and Top Four titles. I have to give credit to the squad for being committed to working together and to the new players, and the younger players, for being able to quickly adjust to the playing style and philosophy.
“For the past three years, we have had the same staff structure in place. Michelle and Vernon have been working hard with the squad whilst Mick, Soa, and Dylan have provided the strength and conditioning training. Having Shawn come on board as my Assistant Coach this season was an absolute bonus. She is an invaluable addition to the coaching team. This consistency and commitment from all involved has contributed to our success and I am incredibly proud of the coaching staff and the squad.
“The biggest challenge was maintaining the momentum from 2022 and making the players believe they could do it all over again. It can be hard for players to stay focussed after such a successful season. Having to rebuild after players have left the squad and having to introduce new faces raises its own challenges. Along with ensuring the team continues to play our style of football when you have players missing due to injuries or availability issues, the challenge is to keep the same competitive level on the pitch.
“I am proud of the squad as a whole, but in particular the bench players and the younger players. When you can pull a player off the bench or up from U21s and maintain the same competitiveness, you know that the club is doing something right. The younger players never hesitate to step up when needed and it’s this team spirit that makes me proud.
“The squad’s commitment and dedication to each other, the playing style, and my philosophy are invaluable. Their passion and resilience are an inspiration to the younger players at the club and they are excellent ambassadors of the women’s game.”
Vega Mena touched on the loss of key players going into the new campaign, which led to a reconstruction of the RedStar side ahead of the 2023 season. He outlined how they set about knitting the new squad together.
“We knew going into 2023 that we would need to rebuild after losing Shawn Billam, Larry (Larissa Walsh), Shivani (Battaglia), Grace (Monteiro), Ruby (Cohen), Tessa (De Leo), and Maya (Diederichsen), along with Carla (Bennett) to injury just before the 2023 season started. We were able to recruit some talented players into the NPLW squad and are fortunate to have some emerging talents coming through the ranks that we can draw on. Losing new goalkeeper Zara Board just as the season was starting (to NPLW football in Victoria) was also a blow and we had to pull Maya out of retirement once more.
“The emphasis whilst rebuilding the team was training hard and implementing the playing style. Having the right people around you is important, they make the difference. The squad understand that the key to success is teamwork.
New arrivals Reina (Kagami) and Chiori (Ikeda) are a perfect fit with the squad. They are not only good players, but good people. Their football does most of their talking for them, however, we do need to break out the translator app on occasion!
The new league season opened with defeat to a highly talented NTC side in a repeat of last year’s Top Four Cup Final. They were one of a developing number of teams to challenge you this season, albeit none were able to do it on a consistent basis. Vega Mena points to how the development on the league made his team’s job harder this season, and therefore the achievements even more outstanding.
“There was a lot of movement within the clubs and teams this season which saw a spread of talented players across the league. We always enjoy playing teams that play good football, and there seemed to be more focus on playing styles this season. It’s always pleasing to see the younger players get time on the pitch and there were plenty of opportunities for them this season. The competition for a Top Four spot remained tight for the most part which indicates that most of the teams were able to successfully challenge each other on the pitch. This bodes well for women’s football in WA.
RedStar are an exceptionally well-organised side that will always make opponents pay for not taking chances, and that is not something that comes about by coincidence, as Vega Mena outlined to me by detailing his key principles at the club.
“I believe it is important to have players that have the ability to listen, take on board your playing style, and bring it to the pitch on game day. It is a combination of what type of players you have, what message you give them, the style of training, and having players capable of performing it on the pitch.
“We play an attacking style of football with a high press and always work hard at training. We are committed to this style of football and like to keep intensity both at training and on the pitch. We are fortunate in that we have many talented players who can read the play and know how to work together. Sometimes this appears seamless on the pitch and is a testament to the players’ ability to be aware of each other and their surroundings.
“We also have several players who can score and the team is not reliant on any one player in particular. I always encourage the players to take their chances whenever the opportunity arises. This can work in our favour on the pitch.”
Reina Kagami had an outstanding first season on the pitch whilst having to adapt to a totally different way of life off it having moved to Perth from Japan along with team mate Chiori Ikeda. When I interviewed her two-thirds of the way through the season, she felt she was still playing nowhere near her potential despite putting in consistent high quality performances and scoring regularly from midfield. The RedStar head coach outlined row they rose to the challenges of the NPLW WA.
“Reina and Chiori are very technical players who bring that extra bit of quality to the pitch. They both had to adjust to a more physical game, which I think they have done in remarkable style. They are intelligent players who play a simple, technical style of football. They adapted quickly to our philosophy and showed that they can score, as well as create and assist.
“Chiori is an impressive player. She was troubled by a few niggling injuries this season and missed a few games as a result. Reina really came into her own by the end of the season. She came to us in a more defensive role, however, she is a versatile player who has shown remarkable attacking ability.
“Reina will continue to adjust to Australian football and I have no doubt she will strive to reach her full potential next season. She has already received interest from the A-League over east. Unfortunately, her personal circumstances meant that she could not pursue that pathway at this stage. I look forward to seeing her in action again next season.”
Perth RedStar won the Top Four Cup this year after two wins over Perth SC that I described as “ruthless”. Whilst Perth’s injury and availability issues were well documented, what may not have been thought about quite so much was the challenge it threw at RedStar – preparing to face a team that would be fielding players out of position and some who have limited experience on that sort of stage which makes preparations less straightforward than when taking on a team full of “known players”.
“Perth SC have some very talented and versatile players. They always manage to put a strong team on the pitch with players that have pace and can be unpredictable. These types of games are where we have to take our chances when they appear and need to stay strong in the back.
“The focus at training is always on working hard, keeping intensity, and playing football to the best of our ability. I don’t believe in basing our sessions on who our opponent is that week, that way we are prepared to face any team that is put on the pitch on game day.
“Perth have always been a challenge for us. It’s tough when you have to play a team seven times in one season and have the ability to beat them each time, or at least draw. In the Top Four Cup, we went out determined to win, and you saw that determination on the pitch.
“It was a privilege and an honour to participate in the inaugural Top Four Cup at the new State Football Centre. The facilities were top notch and the staff worked tirelessly to ensure a good experience for all the participants.
It took us a little while to settle into the game. The first half was tough, which is exactly what we expected. We came out strong in the second and were able to control and dominate possession. We created several opportunities and players didn’t hesitate to take their chances, the goals were quality. The teamwork on the pitch was key in sealing the win. It was a great second half from the team and there’s no denying we earned the title on the day.”
After another season of success, the target on Perth RedStar’s back will be even bigger next season with rival clubs even more determined to take away more of the club’s silverware. Vega Mena knows this and is ready to combat it with his squad.
“We have had the target on our backs for three years and I’m sure next year will be the same, especially after two successful back-to-back seasons. We are expecting clubs to build teams with beating us in the back of their minds. Everyone wants to be the team that beats the current champions, and they will be looking for that reward. We can definitely feel the target on our backs but this will not be our priority going into 2023.
“What the squad has achieved to date is a massive accomplishment for the club, however, our main focus is always player development and we remain committed to playing quality football. This is essential if we are to maintain the standards we have set as a club. Younger players are the future of football and it is imperative for clubs to have these pathways and opportunities for the players coming up through the ranks.
“Next season will see more movement of coaches and players within the NPLW which will pose new challenges and we could see some new look teams emerge. I look forward to seeing what the teams look like. In 2023, we will be looking to continue to challenge other teams whilst playing our brand of football, one game at a time.”
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