Western United is delighted to announce the appointment of Mark Torcaso as Women’s Head Coach and Amanda Stella as Women’s Football Manager ahead of the Club’s first season in the A-League Women competition.
United’s GM Football Mal Impiombato said the two roles, both pivotal to building the first A-League Women’s (ALW) campaign for United, have been filled by candidates passionate about female football.
“Both Mark and Amanda bring an absolute passion for female football that is aligned with our Club’s ambitions to expand our footprint in the game, combined with the skills and experience to begin our ALW journey,” Impiombato said.
“Bringing together a full Women’s program from scratch is a unique challenge, however I know both Mark and Amanda will take on the opportunity and bring together an ALW program that the Club and the fans in the west can be proud of.”
Torcaso has led the Western United Women’s Development Squad since August last year after a long coaching journey in NPLW, highlighted by his work at Calder United. Torcaso said he is grateful and proud to be given the opportunity to be Western United’s Women’s Head Coach for the first two seasons.
“For me it’s something I’ve been passionate about for many years. I’ve only ever worked in the women’s game, so to be involved and for the faith to be put in me to do this – I feel pretty proud, to be honest,” Torcaso said.
“I’m really excited to get the first women’s team on the park. It was always a dream to work professionally in an environment giving every girl an opportunity. Stage by stage for me – it’s not what’s next but making every effort to be successful in every stage,” he said.
Stella, who has worked as United’s Women’s Football Integration Manager and been instrumental in the partnership with Calder United, is ready for her new role.
“I’m just extremely grateful that I’ve been given the opportunity to make a difference for so many girls, to work on putting a team out there that the Green and Black family is going to be proud of,” Stella said.
“The Club has grown so much in just three or four years – to have this happening already, it’s a mighty achievement and shows the commitment to female football from everyone at the Club,” she said.
Stella has been heavily involved in seeing the initiation and subsequent growth of Western United’s women’s program. Flowing on from the partnership with Calder United, Western United’s Women’s Development Squad commenced in August 2021 and played its first game together in Tasmania in April.
Western United is continuing preparations for its first ALW pre-season, making good on its vision to create opportunities for everyone in the West to play football.
