Ben Gilby continues his series profiling our Glory A-League Women’s squad with an in-depth feature on Perth-born midfielder Charli Wainwright…

After so long overcoming obstacles and battling to become a stand-out performer in the local game, Charli Wainwright has been rewarded with a stellar 12 months in both the NPLW WA and now the A-League Women.
“Looking back over that period of time, it has definitely been a standout year,” reflected the young Glory midfielder.
“My first season at Perth SC was a real turning point for me.
“It gave me a lot of confidence and helped me develop both as a player and a person.
“Now, getting a chance to start in the ALW with Perth Glory was truly incredible.
“When I look back, it’s a mix of pride and excitement, but also a sense of gratitude for all the people who’ve supported me along the way.
“It’s only the beginning and I’m determined to keep building on these milestones.”

Unlike many of her local contemporaries in the Glory side this season, Wainwright did not come through the Football West NTC set-up.
Instead, her persistent work ethic and sheer determination playing locally and spending hours travelling to and from training and matches finally saw her gain the recognition that she so richly deserves.
There is a sense of pride in her, but also deep gratitude for those who have assisted in her making her footballing dream become a reality.
“I’ve always had a deep love for football and it wasn’t always easy to get to this point,” she said.
“I had to prove myself over and over, especially being a young player trying to break into senior teams.
“The journey involved a lot of sacrifice—long hours of training, driving to and from training, pushing through setbacks and believing in myself when things didn’t always go as planned.
“It was a struggle competing against older, more experienced players at a young age and the transition from junior to senior football isn’t always easy, but with this comes the chance to learn.
“I was super lucky to have played with some really smart players and some great coaches and I’m grateful for everything I’ve been able to absorb along the way.”

Wainwright’s ability is highlighted by the fact that she captained her previous NPLW WA side Murdoch University Melville as a teenager, despite there being far more experienced players in the squad.
And the 20-year-old believes that the skills and techniques she honed in doing so have played a key role in making her the player she now is in the A-League Women.
“I think my ability to stay calm under pressure comes from a strong belief in my mindset.
“Being a captain at a young age really taught me how to lead by example, communicate clearly and maintain focus, even in tough moments.
“In terms of qualities, I’ve always tried to stay composed, read the game well and keep my head in the moment rather than rushing into decisions.
“In terms of who has helped me along the way, I’ve been fortunate to have worked with some amazing coaches and teammates.
“Mark Jones was an exceptional coach who helped me develop my technical skills and tactical understanding, pushing me to always strive for more.
“Danielle Brogan was another coach who had a huge impact on my development.
“Her attention to detail and focus on mental toughness really shaped my approach to the game.
“I’ve also had the privilege of learning from some incredible players who have been huge inspirations to me.
“Katarina Jukic, Marianna Tabain, Sadie Lawrence and Stacy Learmont are all players I’ve looked up to, both for their skill on the pitch and their leadership off it.”

Ahead of the 2024 NPLW WA season, Wainwright moved to Perth SC where she linked up with future Glory teammates, Grace Johnston, Tijan McKenna, Georgia Cassidy and Ella Lincoln.
Success duly followed as the Azzurri won their first ever State Cup while also reaching the Top Four Cup Final and Wainwright believes that the presence of so many familiar faces made it far easier adjust to life in the A-League Women environment.
“It’s always great to have teammates who you’ve worked with before and who know your playing style and strengths,” she said.
“It’s made it feel more like a seamless move to the ALW.
“The step up to ALW was definitely challenging, but it was also an exciting opportunity.
“The intensity, speed, and technical level are all much higher and you really have to elevate your game to compete at that level.
“One of the key things that helped me was focusing on improving my fitness and conditioning as that’s crucial when you’re playing against top-tier players week in and week out.
“I also spent time learning from the more experienced players on the team, taking in their advice and adapting my game to suit the pace and tactical demands of the ALW.”
Wainwright also credits Glory Head Coach Stephen Peters for playing an integral part in her transition to the professional game.
“He’s very tactical and clear with his expectations.
“He’s great at identifying individual strengths and working with each player to improve specific aspects of their game.
“His detailed approach and passion for the game are infectious and definitely make you want to give your all in every session.
“Personally, he’s helped me gain more confidence on the ball and without knowing it, he’s actually helped a lot with my mentality during training and games.”

Just six weeks into her first season as an A-League Women player came the news that Wainwright was in line to make her pro starting debut at home to Adelaide United.
Injuries hitting the squad created the opportunity for the youngster and as she has throughout her fledgling career, Glory’s #27 grabbed it with both hands.
“Making my debut in the A-League Women was surreal,” she recalled.
“I actually found out a day or two before the game that I’d be starting, so I had to quickly get my mind in the right space.
“The nerves were definitely there, but they were more excitement than fear.
“When the game kicked off, I felt quite nervous and re-watching the game you can see I got the ball stuck under my foot a couple times.
“”But then the game just started to feel like a normal game of football. just on a higher level.
“The game itself was fast and demanding, but It was a memorable experience and one I won’t forget.
With the squad still depleted by a lengthy injury list and with strong performances not being reflected on the scoreboard at times, Wainwright lifted the lid on how the team are working tirelessly in training in a bid to string a consistent run of results together.
“We’ve been focusing on a lot of tactical elements in training, particularly improving our transitions, both defensively and offensively,” she said.
“We’ve been working on maintaining possession under pressure, building up from the back, and refining our team shape.
“Another area of focus has been communication.
“Being on the same page at all times is crucial, especially as the competition heats up.
“Each week, we’re growing in confidence and understanding.
“Our focus is on consistently improving and fine-tuning those small details to make us even stronger as a team.
“For me personally, a good season would be about continuing to grow as a player, contributing consistently to the team and making a real impact on the pitch.
“I’d like to keep improving my technical and tactical understanding of the game and be someone my teammates can rely on.
“For Perth Glory, a good season would mean competing for the top spots in the league, continuing to build team cohesion and achieving as much success as we can together.
“Ultimately, it’s about making progress as a team and showing the club’s true potential.”
#ONEGlory
