Mark Torcaso has been confirmed as the inaugural coach of Western United’s women’s development squad.
Plans for the squad were announced earlier in July and training is set to get underway before the end of the month.
General Manager of Football Mal Impiombato said this is a big step towards continuing the Club’s growth, and Torcaso is just the right person to be behind it.
“We are thrilled to have Mark continue to support our women’s football program,” he said.
“This development squad is an amazing opportunity to grow the women’s game in the west and we have one of the best in the business to help guide us through this.
“We are really excited to see what Mark can do with this group and look forward to him furthering our vision for the club’s future.”
Torcaso, who is currently the Calder United NPLW coach, spoke glowingly of the opportunities this program will bring to female footballers in the west.
“There is some serious talent here in Victoria that sometimes goes unnoticed. We at Western United are working hard to help those girls fulfill their football dreams,” he said.
“Western United have fully supported a female pathway since day dot. This is a great opportunity for the football world to see Western United is serious about women’s football and pathways into the W-League and Matildas.
“Hopefully Western United is in the W-League sooner rather than later, as there are so many talented girls pushing to get on the national stage.”
Torcaso has been the head coach at Calder United for six years having coached Bundoora United senior women and Under 16 girls at Whittlesea Zebras previously.
He has also had W-League experience himself, serving as a goalkeeper coach at Melbourne Victory, helping the team to win the 2014 W-League Championship.
Torcaso’s success at Calder has been profound, with NPLW league and grand final doubles secured in both 2016, where he was awarded NPLW Coach of the Year, and 2019.
Calder United is currently in the semi-finals of the Nike FC Cup, a competition the side has won the last three editions of under Torcaso’s reign.
He will take charge of the squad of 20-24 players for the next three months as Western United continues to strive for further development in the women’s game.
Western United remains committed to working towards a W-League licence and is hopeful of achieving this in time for the upcoming 2021-22 season.
