Perth Glory is delighted to confirm that livewire West Australian forward Tia Stonehill has joined the club’s Liberty A-League squad for the 2023/24 season.
The 26-year-old was previously on Glory’s books in 2018/19 and 2020, before going on to establish herself as one of the most prolific and complete forwards in the NPLW WA competition.
She claimed the NPLW WA Gold Medal (Player of the Year) after helping Murdoch University Melville FC secure a remarkable league and cup treble in 2021 and has taken out the Golden Boot for the current season having scored 24 times for Balcatta Etna.
Stonehill is now relishing the prospect of showcasing her attacking talents at ALW level.
“It feels great to be a part of the club again and I’m honoured to be representing my home town,” she said.
“There has been a lot of growth at the club, in the A-League and in Women’s football across the world, so I’m really excited for the season ahead and grateful for this opportunity.
“I’m hoping to continue growing and developing as a person and as a player and to keep improving my game.
“I’m striving to become an influential, impactful and key player amongst the squad and am ready to give my all to help the team succeed.
“I believe that this team can and will have a lot of success this season.
“We have a great group of players who are all committed to achieving the same goal and I know we will want to show everyone what we are capable of and play finals football.”
Head Coach Alex Epakis, meanwhile, believes that the club’s latest ALW recruit has the potential to play an important role in the upcoming campaign.
“Tia has had an exceptional NPLW season here in our local competition,” he said.
“From the first round of the NPLW competition onwards, she has been a standout performer with goals, effort and determination.
“In addition to her speed and directness in attack, she has the quality of scoring different types of goals which is important for us as a team and the focus on the attacking style of play we want to have this season.
“We need a good balance of attacking weapons and Tia certainly brings more quality to our squad.
“She has worked extremely hard to have this opportunity and her resilience and determination has not gone unnoticed.
“I am looking forward to coaching Tia and working closely with her to help take her game to another level.”
Further squad announcements will be made shortly.
(pictures courtesy of Rob Lizzi/Football West)
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