Tara Murray
Calder United captain Aleks Sinclair could have been forgiven for giving up on her opportunity to play in the A-League Women’s competition.
At 34, most players are thinking about winding down their careers, but not Sinclair. Instead she will get the opportunity to pull on the green and black as part of Western United’s inaugural squad.
Sinclair said it was pretty crazy to think she’s finally got her opportunity at this level after being one of the top players in the National Premier League Women’s competition for a number of years.
“It’s finally settling in,” she said. “It was a bit surreal the first few days after the announcement.
“I knew that the opportunity was there to take [with United]… but I wasn’t sure whether I would get it at my age.
“I played with everything that I have and it shows. It’s all pretty crazy.”
Sinclair said she had previously had the opportunity to train with Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City, but the timing had never been right to join those clubs.
She said she doesn’t regret not taking those chances.
“There were just things happening in my life that I couldn’t run away from at the time,” she said.
“I don’t regret not taking them. It’s led me to where I am today.”
Having been born and bred in Melbourne’s west, the Melton resident said it was exciting to be able to represent the area she is from.
She said this was something she never had growing up and she was keen to grasp it in both hands.
Sinclair has been part of the United set up as part of their development squad the last 12 months.
She said it had given her and some of the other girls the opportunity to get an idea what they might be in for.
“The extra training sessions have been good,” she said.
“They included us on girls and took us on trips. We connected with the men’s team and it was really good to see what it would be like in that environment and that level.
“The majority of the girls are Calder players. Others are friends from in the league, it’s been great to see them be able to showcase her skills.”
Sinclair said she was just keen to make the most of her opportunity at United. She said despite her experience, she enters the A-League season, which starts in November, as an unknown.
“I’ll learn as much as I can,” she said. “I’ve never been at this level so I have a lot to learn.
“I’m keen to enjoy it, it’s a once in a life time achievement.”
With having put pen to paper with United, Sinclair can focus on finishing out the season with Calder United.
Calder has already claimed the Nike F.C Cup and finished on top of the National Premier League Women’s ladder.
They will now be hoping to add a third championship this season, with the NPLW finals starting on Saturday.
The mention of Calder fills Sinclair with emotion. She said this season had exceeded all expectations after the club decided on focusing on youth.
“My team means so much to me and I’m so proud to do this with them,” she said. “The girls work hard every season.
“They are a talented young bunch of girls and I’m proud of them. When I put on that captain’s arm band I have a responsibility to protect them. They are like a bunch of little sisters.”
