Western United adds young local goalkeeper to ALW roster

Western United has added a young, local talent to its Liberty A-League Women roster with goalkeeper Natalie Picak joining on a scholarship deal.

The 18-year-old has signed after impressing for Calder United throughout the NPLW Victoria season this year, during which she has worked closely with Western United goalkeeper coach Tony Belica.

Picak is born and bred in the West, growing up in Lara and playing her junior football at North Geelong Warriors and Geelong Galaxy.

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As a standout junior player, Picak then moved on to the Football Victoria NTC program and has found her breakthrough at senior level with Calder in 2023.

Picak’s form recently earned her the first national team call-up of her young career as she joined the Young Matildas in a training camp last week.

Now set to take her first professional opportunity in the Liberty A-League, Picak said she is counting down the days until she gets started.

“I am super excited to sign for Western United. It’s always been a dream to be part of an A-League club, especially my home club,” she said.

“I’m truly humbled and honoured to be part of the Western United family. I hope to inspire all the young girls in the West to achieve and follow their dreams.”

Western United Head Coach Mark Torcaso said Picak’s development at Calder had uncovered her significant potential going forward.

“Nat has come a long way with Calder over this past 12 months. We have been really impressed with her development and it made it an easy decision to bring her into the A-League environment,” he said.

“As with any 18-year-old, she has plenty more improvement to make but she has enormous potential and we will do everything we can to make sure she realises that potential here, at her home club in the West.”

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Picak will join her new teammates in pre-season training this week as the Green and Black prepares for its second season in the Liberty A-League.