Western United will headline a new era of the Liberty A-League Women competition with more teams, more matches and more opportunities to come for women’s football in Australia.
United was officially welcomed into the A-League Women by Australian Professional Leagues ahead of its inaugural campaign in the 2022/23 season.
Western United Women’s Football Manager Amanda Stella said she is grateful for all of the opportunities so far and ready for the hard work ahead.
“We’ve put in so much hard work to get to this point and this truly is a massive moment for our Club, for women’s football and women’s sport in the West,” she said.
“We can’t wait to put together our squad, coaching and backroom staff and see our girls on the pitch in the Green and Black for the first time, it will be a momentous occasion.
“I’m so grateful to everyone at Western United and APL for this opportunity, and now the hard work continues and I’m so excited for what the future holds.”
Western United General Manager of Football Mal Impiombato said this next step in the Club’s development will provide an extension on the vision to create elite player pathways in the West.
“This is another grand step on our journey as we continue to build and strengthen our footprint in the West,” he said.
“A Liberty A-League Women licence provides an opportunity and platform for all women and girls to aspire to represent the Green and Black.
“We are delighted to be accepted into next season’s A-League Women competition and we look forward to continuing to build the foundations of a talented player pathway at our Club.”
A-Leagues CEO Danny Townsend said this will bring Australia up to the international benchmark in women’s football and looks forward to the opportunities it will present to more females in the game.
“We are just 12 months away from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and we want to make sure that every girl and woman in Australia has the opportunity to build and grow a lasting relationship with football, the country’s most participated in sport,” he said.
Western United’s entrance into the league will bring about a revamped competition with 20 rounds creating a full home and away fixture for the first time.
The 2022/23 Liberty A-League Women season will begin on November 18, with the Grand Final to take place on either April 29 or April 30.