Brighouse Town Women picked up their first three points as a tier three team away at Hull City with a 5-1 win.
Town started the game brightly and probably should have been ahead as early as the third minute when Amy Woodruff went clean through only to drag her shot wide. She did however open the scoring on the 15th minute, again latching on to a long ball before composing herself and finishing in at the near post.
Town made it 2-0 shortly after when a Kayleigh Bamforth cross was glanced in by Becky Gompertz. It was three before the break, Woodruff again breaking clear to score after great work from Darcie Greene.
The second half started in much the same fashion, Town dominating and looking threatening on the attack and Impetus sponsored Leah Embley opened her account for the club after beating her marker, she cut inside and fired in to the bottom right hand corner to make it 4-0. Ellie Dobson made it 5-0 after coming on as a substitute, latching on to a Danielle Whitham cross to complete the rout.
Town didn’t manage to hold on to the clean sheet, in the final minutes of the game they switched off and were punished by Ellie Tanser who managed to get on the end of a cross to make it 5-1.
In truth Town could and maybe should have added several more given the amount of chances they created, but manager Rob Mitchell will be pleased that his side got off the mark and can now build on the win for the upcoming games against Huddersfield Town and Middlesborugh.
Above: Rachel Hindle equals the scores for Chorley from the spot. Photo: John Shirras.
After a battling display last week saw Chorley take all 3 points away at Bradford City, this week they faced a Leeds side who are already fancied by most for promotion this season after heavy financial backing from the men’s club.
Chorley started the game the better of the two sides and should have gone ahead when a failed clearance from the Leeds keeper fell kindly to Matthews who has been in excellent form of late but her shot was straight back at the relieved keeper.
Leeds looked dangerous down the wings but it was Chorley who continued to play the better football. Against the run of play Leeds were awarded a dubious penalty when Worth was judged to have caught the Leeds winger. Striker Danby tucked away the penalty.
Matthews then had a further chance when a lovely through ball by Worth saw her one on one with the Leeds keeper, the striker chipped the keeper with the goal mouth open but the ball drifted just wide of the post.
It was then Bradley’s chance in the Chorley goal to spring into action as she was forced to make a point blank save from the Leeds left winger.
Above: Chorley’s Emma Hickson (right) shadows her Leeds United opponent. Photo: John Shirras.
Chorley were pushing for the equaliser and Hickson on the left was beginning to grow into the game it was her tricky run into the Leeds penalty area that saw her taken out by a clumsy challenge and it was Chorley’s turn from the spot. Hindle stepped up and made no mistake with a beautiful finish into the top corner to level the scores.
Leeds came out stronger in the second half and dominated the first 10 minutes with Bradley forced into making a couple of good saves. Chorley then settled back into the game and began to play the better football.
Mackay, Walker and Bell worked tirelessly in the Chorley midfield to snuff out any danger from Leeds midfield despite then making changes. Leeds were beginning to get frustrated and another late challenge on Hickson allowed Walker to float in a free kick which Hickson unmarked at the back post expertly floated over the hapless Leeds keeper to give Chorley the lead their performance deserved 2-1.
Chorley knew they would need to dig deep to get all 3 points and they did just that; Bradley making a couple of outstanding saves in the last 10 mins as well as some excellent defending from the whole team. Having a strong bench helped as Gooden was able to make strong substitutions to push through to full time.
CHORLEY: Bradley, Searson, Topping, Bell (Evans 82), Hindle, Mackay, Jones (Stocks 46), Matthews (Wood 80), Hickson, Worth, Walker. Subs not used: Catlow, Mills.
Scorers: Hindle pen 41, Hickson 67.
LEEDS UNITED: Wattam, Hunter, Hamill (C), Hannon, Bass, Underdown (Bartup 46), K Hunt, R Hunt (Smith 72), Brown, Danby, Williams (Soares-Martins 46): Subs not used: Joyce, Trickett.
Ben Gilby hears from the new leader of the Scottish Women’s Football about how she aims to develop the game further across the country after the sad demise of senior football at Forfar Farmington.
Above: Aileen Campbell, unveiled to the media to day at Hampden Park, Glasgow. Photo: Colin Poultney.
Aileen Campbell was today presented to the media as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Scottish Women’s Football (SWF).
The former Scottish Government Minister, who has been in post for two weeks says that she is “relishing the challenge of leading the women’s club game in Scotland.”
“The recent growth and development in women’s football has been phenomenal” said Campbell. “The chief executive position at SWF therefore brings enormous responsibility – I have been entrusted to maintain and accelerate progress, raise the game’s profile, attract audiences, increase investment and widen access. #
“There should be no limit on ambition. Women’s football is only going in one direction – the question is simply how far and how quickly it can move.”
Whilst Campbell is certain the future is bright for the game, the new CEO had a challenging first week on the job. Forfar Farmington outlined their intention not to compete in SWPL 1 for the 2021/22 season.
Above: Aileen Campbell – SWF’s new CEO. Photo: Colin Poultney.
“I was heartbroken to learn of Forfar Farmington’s forced withdrawal due to a lack of players. It cruelly demonstrated that fragilities still exist.
“I am relieved and assured, however, that with its exemplary youth pathway the club is still leading the way and thriving at the grassroots level.”
While Campbell will look to continue growing and developing the girls and women’s game alongside the various stakeholders, she also hopes to reach true gender equality across society, sport and football.
“My aspiration is that one day women’s football is viewed by everyone with the same respect, admiration and enthusiasm as the men’s game. The progress to date has been phenomenal and I truly believe that one day we will get there. I want to make a valuable contribution in pushing us along that road.
“It is my honour to have the opportunity to bring my experience from government, my passion, drive and enthusiasm for football, and my ambition for the women’s game to SWF. I hope I can achieve my overriding ambition – that future generations of women and girls know and believe football is, absolutely, for them.”
Ben Gilby summarises the overnight news which saw a four year partnership between the Commonwealth Bank and women’s football in Australia commence and hears from some of the key people involved.
Football Australia’s partnership with Commonwealth Bank which aims to significantly elevate women’s football across the nation has officially commenced.
In April this year, Football Australia and Commonwealth Bank announced the new partnership which sees the bank become one of the largest investors in Australian women’s football, injecting millions of dollars into the elite women’s game and grassroots initiatives across the country over the next four years.
News of the partnership sees the bank becoming the naming rights partner of the Commonwealth Bank Matildas, Commonwealth Bank Young Matildas, and Commonwealth Bank Junior Matildas, and pledging to play an integral role in supporting Football Australia’s ambitious Legacy ‘23 plan, to increase women’s participation in football.
Commonwealth Bank Group Executive of Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Monique Macleod, said the partnership represents a landmark moment for CBA and for Australian football.
“This is an exciting time for women’s football; the Matildas recent performance on the world stage is showing young Australian women and girls they can achieve great things. We are ready to play our part in strengthening the game at all levels as we head towards 2023 and beyond.
“We are delighted to partner with Football Australia in supporting the Commonwealth Bank Matildas in their quest for glory on the world stage, and the future growth and development of the game across all levels,” Ms Macleod said.
Football Australia Chief Executive Officer, James Johnson, said: “Our partnership with Commonwealth Bank represents a clear and strong alignment of values between our two organisations. It is also a significant endorsement of our vision for Australian football and our strategic priority to anchor the growth of the game in women’s football.
“We are already seeing Commonwealth Bank’s commitment to helping Football Australia provide opportunities for all Australians to play football, and to further strengthen the Commonwealth Bank Matildas’ position as an iconic brand, by helping us to reach more Australians than ever before.
“We are thrilled that today the Commonwealth Bank Matildas partnership has officially begun following the announcement of our landmark agreement in April this year. It is one which will also become synonymous with our senior and youth women’s national teams through to 2023 and beyond.
“In recent weeks we’ve seen the Commonwealth Bank Matildas set the record for the largest audience for a women’s team sport in Australian TV history, with an average television audience of 1.87 million tuning in to watch Australia and Sweden in Tokyo. This is a sign of how this team is capturing the hearts and minds of Australians everywhere and with Commonwealth Bank’s support, we believe this team will continue to grow and reach new heights over the coming years.
The partnership between Commonwealth Bank and Football Australia includes:
Official Naming Rights Partner of the Commonwealth Bank Matildas, Commonwealth Bank Young Matildas and Commonwealth Bank Junior Matildas
Official Bank of the Commonwealth Bank Matildas, Commonwealth Bank Young Matildas and Commonwealth Bank Junior Matildas
Official Partner the Female Football Awards
Official Naming Rights Partner of Commonwealth Bank Matildas Fan Days
Official Partner and Bank of the Socceroos
Official Partner of the MiniRoos (children’s football scheme).
Brisbane Roar have announced teenage defender Holly McQueen as its third re-signing ahead of the new W-League season.
The 19-year-old Queenslander has spent recent seasons learning from the likes Clare Polkinghorne and was officially promoted into the squad late last term. She will now get the chance to push for a W-League debut as a fully-fledged member of Garrath McPherson’s side, having played for the new Head Coach while part of the QAS/NTC program.
“It’s great having that security with the contract sorted early,” McQueen said. “My first goal is the debut and then to play well throughout the season. Hopefully I can secure a spot in the starting line-up. “Knowing some of the girls as well, and with a lot of us being locals, it’s really good. Everyone should fit in straight away. Garrath is very good at getting everyone to bond together.”
McPherson praised McQueen as a “tremendous defender” and promising young leader. “Of all the players to graduate from the program in the last two years, she is a role model for having that winning mentality on the pitch,” he said. “She is explosive and outstanding in one-on-one contests. “Holly was the QAS Player of the Year last year, receiving the award from the previous year’s winner Jamilla Rankin. “It will be exciting to see the two of them reconnect in the W-League this season.”
Racing Louisville started playing in the NWSL this year. The club was built on ambition: the ambition to win, the ambition to raise standards and ultimately the ambition to be the best in the world. This week they welcomed three of the world’s top teams for The Women’s Cup, proving that their ambition can be matched by action. Impetus‘ North American correspondent Catherine Paquette reports.
Artwork: CBS.
When the Louisville NWSL expansion side was announced in October 2019, the new club’s ownership group outlined an ambitious project. The new women’s club would start playing in 2021 at the new Lynn Family Stadium, a soccer specific venue in Louisville Kentucky for the new NWSL team and their ownership’s parent men’s club Louisville City FC.
The expansion club would also move into a new $15 million USD training facility during their first season. On top of a spectacular women’s locker room, the shared facility with the men’s side would be equipped with weight room, dining hall, media/film room and several fields. The club would also build a girl’s academy, to operate alongside its boys academy, from scratch.
New sporting projects are often filled with proposals, promises and ambitions, although follow through is never assured. What is most inspiring about Louisville is that not only have they fulfilled their promises, but to most observers they have surpassed expectations and raised NWSL standards.
Racing’s goalkeeper Michelle Betos, who has played professionally on three continents including two other NWSL clubs, stated that it wasn’t until she came to Louisville that she felt like a true professional.
However, just when one thought that Louisville could not surpass franchise expectations, their hosting of The Women’s Cup in their first season of operation has made the ambitious club even more impressive. With less than six months of play, they have welcomed German Frauen-Bundesliga winners FC Bayern Munich, French Division 1 winners Paris Saint Germain and fellow NWSL club the Chicago Red Stars for the four-match tournament.
Upon their arrival in Louisville both European clubs’ airplanes were greeted by a water salute followed by a reception party in the terminal for the two teams and their representatives. While this type of welcome is commonplace for big European men’s clubs touring the US in pre-season, it is a rarity to see such a display on the women’s side of the game.
Above: Racing Louisville’s Lynn Family Stadium. Photo: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images.
The good impressions continued when seeing the club’s stadium. German international and PSG midfielder Sara Däbritz expressed her amazement: “We walked in, we said wow, it’s an amazing stadium for women’s football. We can’t wait to play here. When you see a stadium like this, it’s like wow, I want to play now!” Play they did.
Despite both clubs being in their respective pre-seasons, the game was a very close and competitive affair. This is hardly surprising. After all, these are two very well organized teams, with incredible talent both on the field and the bench. While Bayern originally dictated the game, it was PSG who opened the scoring account.
Sandy Baltimore, who caused all sorts of problems for Bayern during the match, made an excellent cross into the box to Marie-Antoinette Katoto who headed it in. Bayern were able to not only equalize before the half, with Linda Dallman scoring a goal in the 43 minute, but then double their score in the first half extra time with a Lea Schüller goal.
⚽️Goal for FC Bayern Munich! A fantastic free kick by Carolin Simon hits the crossbar. Lea Schüller is there to head it in.
PSG got the equalizer in the 57th minute, after Kheira Hamraoui headed home a goal off a corner. The match ended 2-2 after 90 minutes and headed to penalty kicks. After six rounds of shots Bayern sealed their place in the final with a 5-4 penalty win.
The second match of the semi-final was between the Chicago Red Stars and the home team Racing Louisville. The match also doubled as an NWSL regular season game. Chicago entered the game in sixth place in the NWSL, with Louisville in ninth. Despite the difference in positioning, Louisville were only five points behind their opponents with two fewer games played in the league.
Louisville has had its struggles at times this season, as one would expect of any expansion team. The newly composed team has been going up against clubs that have been in existence and played together for several seasons. Some adjustment as they find their playing style and synergy was expected. However, its most recent form has been promising and improving.
English import Ebony Salmon opened the scoring for the hosts in the second semi-final match. Stealing the ball from Red Stars defender Danielle Colaprico, she then nutmegged their goalkeeper to score.
The high tempo game continued, with Louisville holding most of the possession. However, it was Chicago who had more shots and shots on goal in the match. They finally capitalized in the 57th minute of play with a Kealia Watt goal.
After 90 minutes of play, drawn at 1-1, both teams proceeded to penalties like the first semi-final of the tournament. The hosts came out on top, also winning the shoot-out in the sixth round of kicks by a margin of 5-4. This was done in front of a record crowd of 7,310 individuals.
Today will be the continuation of the exciting first year of existence for Racing Louisville. Another double header event, the Chicago Red Stars will face PSG in the first match for the third place crown. This will be followed by the first place Munich-Louisville game. The hosts will surely hope to not only beat their attendance record, but also Bayern Munich in front of their new fans.
Speaking of the prospect of facing such a high calibre team in their first year of existence, Racing Coach Christy Holly stated: “It is one of the clubs that I have admired and have a great level of appreciation for what they’ve done for the women’s game but also the game worldwide. To see the headlines that Racing Louisville is playing Bayern Munich in Louisville on Saturday night, I’m not sure there were too many people who would’ve believed that if you told them 18 months ago.
Above: Ebony Salmon (left) in action for Racing Louisville in the Women’s Cup in midweek. Photo: Equalizer Soccer.
“That’s a testament to the fans that have been supporting us and the ownership that has invested in us not only money but time, energy and motivation to move this thing forward to give this incredible platform for women’s athletes. It’s a magnificent privilege but one that we definitely want to take advantage of and try and make a statement for this club and this city.”
The third placed game will kick off at 3PM ET/ 8PM BST on Saturday, August 21. This will be followed by the final will take place at 6PM ET/ 11PM BST. Games will be available on Paramount+ in the USA, PSG and BM networks in France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria and ATA Football elsewhere.
Should the final result go in Louisville’s favour, it will be a remarkable win for a nascent club. It would be a great reward for all the efforts put forward off the field. It would prove to be a victory that has met the original ambition set by the club when it was created 18 months ago. Ultimately though, what we have already seen coming out of Louisville off the field, including this Women’s Cup tournament, those are the real winners.
It’s been another busy week in Swedish women’s football with Champions League action and the first post Olympics Damallsvenskan match. If that wasn’t enough, there’s some major transfer news.
Above: Alice Nilsson celebrates after scoring for Kristianstad against Brøndby in the Champions League in midweek. Photo: SVT
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
Kristianstad beat Brøndby 1-0 in their UEFA Women’s Champions League tie. All in all it was a reasonable result between Denmark’s number two and Sweden’s number three. Alice Nilsson, 25, scored for Kristianstad.
AIK played an early match ahead of schedule in the Damallsvenskan on Saturday when they finally ended their four game losing streak by holding Kristianstads to a 1-1 front of a crowd of 237 in Solna. Ruusul Kafaji gave the home side the lead on 37 minutes with Amanda Edgren levelling for Kristianstads six minutes later.
Several friendly matches between Damallsvenskan sides took place last weekend ahead of this week’s return to league action. Rosengård gained a 2-1 win over Linköping with two goals from Mimi Larsson. Cornelia Kapocs replied for Linköping.
Hammarby were held to a 3-3 draw by Vittsjö. Matilda Vinberg, Nina Jakobsson, and Emlia Larsson were on target for the Stockholm based side with Mie Leth Jans, Julia Tunturi, and Ebba Wieder scoring for Vittsjö.
KIF Örebro played out a 1-1 draw with Djurgården with Moa Öhman and Linda Motlhalo scoring for the respective sides.
Piteå had a warm-up game against a team consisting of 16 year-old boys from local club Storfors. A 12-1 win which saw goals come from Katrina Guillou, Anam Imo (2), Hlin Eiriksdottir, Hanna Andersson, Jennie Nordin (2), Ellen Karlsson (2), Cajsa Hedlund (2), Cecilia Edlund.
Table From: Svensk Fotboll.
The Damallsvenskan returns this weekend after a break for the Olympics with these matches:
Round Thirteen Fixtures:
Växjö v Vittsjö
Hammarby v Eskilstuna United
AIK v Djurgården
Piteå v Linköping
Rosengård v KIF Örebro
Kristianstads v BK Häcken
ELITETTAN
Above: Jennifer Sjösten (right) whose goal ensured that IF Brommapojkarna won 1-0 at Morön BK. Photo: IF Brommapojkarna.
Umeå IK extended their lead at the top of the table after they won 2-0 at the fading challengers of Älvsjö AIK FF – a score line which, combined with the chasing pack all dropping points put them six points clear at the Elitettan’s summit. Goals from Sarah Mellouk (20) and Henna-Rikka Honkanen (34) sealed the win. Second placed IK Uppsala were held 0-0 by Bollstanäs SK who had lost all bar two of their matches going into this game. Morön BK, who went into the game in third place, fell to a 1-0 loss at home to IF Brommapojkarna who now replace their hosts in that position in the table after a fantastic run of results. Their win was thanks to Jennifer Sjösten’s goal after 13 minutes to the shock of the 171 fans. Lidköpings FK and IFK Kalmar, two members of the pack just outside of the promotion spots faced off and drew 1-1 in a result which helped neither side. Andrea Thorisson put Kalmar ahead, but agonisingly for them, the home side bagged an equaliser from Emilia Bengtsson with just three minutes left to the delight of the 181 strong crowd.
Latest Results: Morön BK 0-1 IF Brommapojkarna, Borgeby FB 3-3 Sundsvalls DFF, Alingsås FC United 0-2 Mallbackens IF Sunne, Älvsjö AIK FF 0-2 Umeå IK, Bollstanäs SK 0-0 IK Uppsala, Lidköpings FK 1-1 IFK Kalmar, IFK Norrköping 0-1 Jitex Mölndal.
Next Fixtures: Jitex Mölndal v Lidköpings FK, Älvsjö AIK FF v Borgeby FB, Mallbackens IF Sunne v Bollstanäs SK, Sundsvalls DFF v IFK Norrköping, IF Brommapojkarna v IFK Kalmar, Umeå IK v Alingsås FC United, IK Uppsala v Morön BK.
Table From: Svensk Fotboll
NEWS ROUND-UP:
Above: Talented teenager Hannah Bennison’s move from Rosengård to Everton looks like it is finally about to happen. Photo: Göteborgs-Posten.
Reports from Telegraph website say that Rosengård‘s Hanna Bennison’s move to Everton is finalised with a six figure transfer fee agreed. This would fit with Rosengård’s sporting director Therese Sjögran’s earlier statement that Bennison will not go for a fee below €100,000. Bennison did not train with Rosengård at the end of this week.
As we first suggested a couple of weeks ago, KIF Örebro‘s Karin Lundin has joined Fiorentina.
Kristianstad have signed Delaney Baie Pridham, an American forward, from IBV Vestmannaeyjar in Iceland.
AIK has agreed a loan deal with Orlando Pride for defender Konya Plummer to join on a loan deal for the rest of the season. The 24 year-old was Jamaica’s captain in the 2019 World Cup in France. The Solna based side have also taken 22 year-old midfielder Joy Bokiri on a deal for the rest of the season. Bokiri is capped for Nigeria and joins from Bayelsa Queens in her homeland.
19 year-old midfielder Louise Hvarfner has extended her contract with Djurgården for a further three and a half years.
Rosengård have confirmed that PSG has shown interest in their Canadian Olympic champion, goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé. Talks have taken place between the clubs, but there is no agreement yet.
Above: Stephanie Labbé, seen saving the penalty which won Canada Gold in the Olympics, looks to be about to join PSG from Rosengård. Photo: Toronto Star.
Jean-Pierre Thiesset summarizes the consequences of the transfer window ahead of the new season of D1 Arkema, French women’s football’s topflight, which begins next week.
The D1 Arkema championship for 2021/22 will start on August 27th and 28th 2021 with several changes in the team’s staff.
This new campaign will see the D1 Arkema remain at twelve teams. Le Havre were relegated to D2 at the end of last season and Saint-Etienne climbed into D1 Arkema.
There are a lot of moves between last season’s top three. Three players from Paris SG (Endler, Bruun and Morroni) moved to Lyon and one player from Lyon (Karchaoui) make the reverse move. One player from Bordeaux (E. Cascarino) and one player from Montpellier (De Almeida) went to Paris SG. Hamraoui, ex Olympique Lyonnais, goes from Barcelona to Paris SG. Three players from Lyon are loaned to OL Reign, Olympique Lyonnais WNSL Franchise: Bouhaddi, Le Sommer, Marozsan.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN:
Above: Sakina Karchaoui – unveiled by PSG after singing from Olympique Lyonnais. Photo: Paris St. Germain
Arrivals : Maryne Gignoux (Dijon), Elise Bonet (Dijon), Maud Antoine (Marseille), Emily Burns (Real Club Racing Santander, SPAIN), Kristen Sakaki (Trinity Western University, CAN).
The return of a club favourite and the publication of their league fixtures emphasize that a new campaign is just around the corner for Impetus partner club Pride Park. ‘Boot Room’ reports.
Above: Hannah Roberts, who is returning to Pride Park. Photo: Pride Park FC.
Tier Seven Derbyshire Ladies League Division One side Pride Park FC Ladies have announced the return of Hannah Roberts as their first summer signing.
Roberts returns to The Pride after a season at University of Derby, of which she was President in her final year of studies, after playing the three preceding seasons at Pride Park, making 46 appearances and scoring 2 goals.
Having completed her studies at University of Derby, Hannah said goodbye to the City she called ‘home’ for four years earlier this summer, but an unexpected job offer in “Derbados” meant a change of plans and the chance to return – and we had no hesitation in signing her.
“I really wasn’t expecting to be back in Derby after finishing University, but as soon as I knew that would be the case, I asked about the chance to return, and am delighted to be back at Pride Park.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed my three years at Pride Park, and missed playing with the team last year, although I kept up with their results and match reports. It was an easy decision to come back, and I can’t wait to get started again!”
The Derbyshire Ladies League fixtures have been published and it’s a tricky opening fixture on 12th September for Pride Park, away to Champions Draycott Victoria.
That will be the first of four fixtures on the road for Pride Park, who won’t play at their Moorways home until the visit of Belper Town on 10th October.
Compensation comes in the form of five home games in succession, and six out of seven games at home, in November and December before concluding with two away fixtures, at Wirksworth and Chesterfield Inspire Blues respectively.
Division One comprises nine teams, including newly promoted Chesterfield Inspire Blue and Sandiacre Town, making for a League season of sixteen matches.
There are six new teams joining the League; Amber Valley, Heanor Town, Bakewell Town, Pinxton, Mickleover U18 and Derby Rovers. Division Two of the Derbyshire Ladies League is to be split into three conferences of five teams each, making for an 18 game season.
The full schedule of fixtures is available at: http://www.gotfootball.co.uk/events/?EventID=4399 – this is the primary fixture schedule maintained by the League, so will be the first place to look to check for updates.
The scope for any Cup competitions to be held this season will be determined by the League in December, following a review of the league fixtures completed up to that point – it may look like a short season at this point, but experience suggests that postponements due to the weather and any potential Covid disruption will result in re-scheduling of any number of fixtures.
Overnight news from the W-League with Brisbane Roar, Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers all announcing exciting additions to their squads.
Above: Mariel Hecher celebrates with Tameka Yallop for Brisbane Roar last season. Photo: W-League.
Brisbane Roar have announced the re-signing of highly talented attacker Mariel Hecher for a second season in orange.
The Brazilian-born forward started every game and scored four goals in a successful first W-League campaign last time around as she seamlessly stepped up from the NPL Queensland.
“I’m super excited,” Hecher said of re-signing with the Roar, “There’s always some doubt about how you will perform in your first season, so getting the invitation to play a second season is just proof that you’re doing something right. It’s good to have as an athlete.
“To have another opportunity to play on the big stage, I’m stoked about it.” As a long-time NPL star for Lions FC, Hecher tipped the Roar’s strong Queensland-centric focus to reap rewards.
“I think we have a lot of talent here and I think promoting that is a great plan,” she said, “As we know with the boys, it’s been working. It’s good to apply that to the female side because I think we have very talented players around. I think it’s going to be a very promising side.”
Roar Head Coach Garrath McPherson warmly welcomed Hecher’s re-signing. “It’s awesome to have Mariel back for her second season,” McPherson said. “She showed last year her killer instinct and creativity in attack and I’m really excited to see these qualities on show again. “She is a perfect example of the pathway that exists through our NPL Women’s competition.”
Jets retain Sunny Franco:
Above: Sunny Franco in action for Newcastle Jets last season. Photo: Jonathan Carroll
Newcastle Jets have announced that they have retained the services of Sunny Franco for the 2021/22 W-League season.
After an impressive 2020/21 campaign under Coach Ash Wilson, Franco will look to continue her form and build on her attacking threat.
Wilson said; “I’m very happy to have Sunny back on board.
“She is a fierce competitor with a strong work ethic and great attitude which saw her adjust well to our team culture last season. She is dynamic, quick and powerful with clear technical ability that can be very difficult for defenders to contain.
“This is going to be important to the brand of football we want to play and I’m looking forward to working with Sunny to build on last season’s performances.”
Franco along with the likes of Tara Andrews and Gema Simon, is another key player from last season’s squad that has put pen to paper for the upcoming campaign.
Franco made 13 starting appearances for the Jets W-League side last season, with the right footed attacker contributing two goals.
Toward the end of last season, Franco signed with the Brisbane Roar and played in the Club’s finals series but is delighted to return to the Hunter.
Franco said; “I’m super stoked to re-sign with Jets.
“I think it was my favourite W-League season out of all the years I’ve played. I think we really improved as a squad last season and I’m looking forward to building on that and seeing where it can take us.”
Western Sydney Wanderers take Bianca Galic:
Above: Bianca Galic, pictured in her Canberra United days. Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong.
Western Sydney Wanderers FC confirmed the signing of midfielder Bianca Galic for the upcoming W-League season.
The young gun joins the club from Canberra United where she played in her first W-League season.
Galic has been a familiar face in the NSW National Premier League Women’s competition where she has plied her trade at Sydney University since she was 14.
The 21-year-old will bolster the Wanderers midfield as new head coach Catherine Cannuli prepares for the 2021/22 season.
Cannuli welcomed Galic to the club, commending her work ethic and development over recent seasons.
“Bianca is a very hard-worker and understands what we are trying to build here at the Wanderers,” said Cannuli.
“Bianca has gone from strength to strength in the National Premier League competition and we have been keeping an eye on her development over the last few years.
“It was fantastic to see her break into the W-League competition last season with Canberra and we are very excited to have her now in Red & Black.”
Galic said she was delighted to play for the Wanderers this W-League season.
“My football development started in Sydney at a very young age so to be representing a Sydney-based team in the W-League is something you dream of when you’re in the youth system,” said Galic.
“It’s great to be able to tick that off my list this year and have the support of my family and friends at each game in Western Sydney.
“The Wanderers have been known to always fight for every match, every goal and every point and that’s something that resonates with me – it’s a direct reflection of the spirit and culture of the club.
“These last few seasons, the Wanderers have been re-building a squad that’s in contention for Finals football and I’m excited to help the club and (head coach) Catherine Cannuli get there this season.
“I know Cath has high expectations of where she wants to take the club and I’d like to help push the team to achieve what we set out to do.
“It would be great on a personal and club level to make another Finals Series appearance!”
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