Perth Glory’s inaugural squad for the upcoming Westfield W-League competition has taken shape with 19 players contracted to compete in the new women’s competition.
Perth Glory-s inaugural squad for the upcoming Westfield W-League competition has taken shape with 19 players contracted to compete in the new women-s competition.
The Glory side will be spearheaded by Australian International midfielder Collette McCallum with the Matildas star returning to her native state after a season in Los Angeles playing with Pali Blues.
Glory Women-s Coach Nicola Williams is delighted at the strength of her squad and believed her side is capable of upsetting some of the traditional powerhouses in the eastern states.
“We would like to reach the semi finals in our inaugural season” said Ms Williams.
“The squad has worked extremely hard in the past few months leading up to our first match.
“We have the best talent that Western Australia has to offer and we are extremely proud to wear the Perth Glory colours,” she said.
The Perth Glory side is brimming with some of Australia-s most talented young players including Ella Mastrantonio, Sam Kerr and Marianna Tabain.
Mastrantonio, who is just 16 years of age, was a key member of the Matildas recent ASEAN Football Federation Women’s Championships win. The Cockburn City youngster playing the full 90 minutes against Vietnam in the final held in Ho Chi Minh City.
Kerr, the younger sister of West Coast Eagles star Daniel, and Tabain are also in the sights of national selectors and, alongside Mastrantonio, are set to become the new generation of Matildas.
Experienced defender and former Western Waves player Tanya Oxtoby will marshal the defence together with Queensland ‘keeper Kate Stewart and Carys Hawkins.
William-s has kept the final place in the squad open for Matildas striking sensation Lisa De Vanna who is currently in Sweden playing for AIK.
De Vanna will be back on Australian shores at the end of October and Perth Glory is working to secure a deal to see the diminutive striker in a purple shirt.
In a major coup for the Glory W-League side, Members Equity Bank has thrown their significant support behind the team and will feature prominently on the front of the playing shirts.
The Perth Glory Women-s first match will be at Members Equity Stadium, Saturday 25th October with a 1.00pm (WST) kick off. Gates open 12:30pm WST. Tickets will be available on the gate for $5, kids under 16 are free.
Perth Glory members will be able to access the match for free by showing their 2008/09 Glory membership card.
Perth Glory Women Squad List
Coach: Nicola Williams
1.Kate STEWART (Goalkeeper)
2.Stacey LEARMONT (Defender)
3.Carys HAWKINS (Defender)
4.Sam KERR (Winger)
5.Shannon MAY (Midfielder)
6.Katarina JUKIC (Midfielder)
7.Ciara CONWAY (Forward)
8.Tanya OXTOBY (Defender)
9.Katy COGHLAN (Midfielder)
10.Ella MASTRANTONIO (Midfielder)
12. Dani CALAUTTI (Winger)
13.Elisa D-OVIDIO (Midfielder)
14.Collette McCALLUM (Midfielder)
15.Elle SEMMENS (Defender)
16.Rachel SMITH (Defender)
17.Marianna TABAIN (Winger)
18.Shiya LIM (Winger)
19.Emily DUNN (Defender)
20.Maya DIEDERICHSEN (Goalkeeper)
