It’s official! The Western United Women have arrived.
Western United has been granted a licence to compete in the Liberty A-League Women competition from the upcoming 2022/23 season.
On the eve of the Isuzu UTE A-League Men Finals, the news is a huge boost for the Club and its supporters.
Western United Chairman Jason Sourasis spoke of the significance of this landmark moment for the Club and what it will mean for the future of women’s football in the West.
“This is a special day in the history of our Club. This is one of those days that will stick out on the timeline when you look back 10, 20, 30 years from now,” he said.
“To be a truly equal, inclusive club and to represent all people in the West, it was a non-negotiable from the start that Western United needed to have a women’s team.
“For Western United to enter the league, just in time as the FIFA Women’s World Cup comes to Australia next year, is massive. Everyone at the Club is excited about this next step in our journey and we are all committed to bringing success on the pitch with our women’s pathway.”
Chris Pehlivanis, CEO Western United added that this will be another step in the Club’s continued ambition to grow the game for all people in the West.
“There are a lot of people who have worked tirelessly to be ready for this moment.
“We dream big for our people in the West and we want to unite the West through football. That is exactly what we’re doing by opening up opportunities for women to shine in an elite sporting environment at Western United,” he said.
“I’m so thrilled that this vision of ours is now finally coming to fruition. I’m so excited to see our girls representing Western United and witness all of the subsequent milestones that we will be able to celebrate.
“I can’t wait to see the girls on the pitch wearing the Green and Black, and representing Western United with pride.”
Western United Women’s Football Integration Manager, Amanda Stella, said this moment has been a long time coming with the work the Club has done in partnership with Calder United.
“It’s been a long journey but one that I am so proud to have been a part of, and now I am just so happy that we finally have this opportunity that we can give to our girls of the West,” she said.
“What Western Untied has done in partnering with Calder United has been phenomenal and I’m extremely positive that will only be the prologue to the first chapter of this great story.
“To have young girls of the West with something to aspire to, role models to look up to and a distinct pathway to map out for their own journeys is what we’ve been striving to achieve. The opportunity to be part of the United family from an early age and progress through girls community and NPL teams in the hope to play A-League Women’s all within the one family is now a reality.
“We will do everything to ensure that we create a women’s team that everyone in our community in the West can be proud of and can celebrate. I just can’t wait for the whistle to blow for that first game,” Stella concluded.
The Club will now work to appoint coaching and football department staff as well as compiling the squad that will play Western United’s first ever competitive women’s match when the A-League Women campaign kicks off later this year.
