Western United’s commitment to gender equality and the growth of women’s football in Victoria will be strengthened with the establishment of a women’s development squad in 2021.
The group will start their journey at Western United with the ambition of representing the Green and Black in the Club’s W-League team in the future.
The squad of 20-24 players – to be formed with a strong contingent of Calder United players – will train in an elite program specifically designed to develop talent.
“Western United has been building towards this over the past 12 months,” said Women’s Football Integration Manager Amanda Stella.
“Launching a women’s development squad strengthens the Club’s commitment to creating an elite pathway for girls from Victoria’s west and is an important step in our W-League project.
“Western United’s dedication to female football has been demonstrated this year through the development of the partnership with Calder United, including regional and interstate trips to showcase the sport to a broad audience.”
Western United CEO Chris Pehlivanis echoed the sentiment of Stella and added that the W-League expansion bid is in a healthy position.
“This program continues to build our female football product, which is still very much in its infancy stage. I look forward to meeting the inaugural squad and watching them develop as Western United footballers,” said Pehlivanis.
“In terms of our W-League ambitions, we are confident in securing a W-League license in time for the upcoming 2021/22 season and we will work closely with the APL and FFA to formalise this process.”
The 12-week program will commence in mid-July 2021 and will be based out of the Elite Football Centre in Maribyrnong.
NPLW Coach Mark Torcaso and current Western United football staff will lead the program.
Technical Directors of clubs in the west who would like to nominate talented females aged 17+ or players that are interested in participating in the program are encouraged to email womensfootball@wufc.com.au with an expression of interest.
