Tara Murray
New Calder United co-coach Helen Winterburn is excited by the challenge of taking over the National Premier League Women’s side.
Winterburn and Nathan Maiorana were this week announced as the coaches of the side after inaugural coach Mark Torcaso stepped aside after being appointed Western United’s inaugural A-League women’s coach.
Winterburn, who is an assistant coach at Western United under Torcaso, said she was excited by the opportunity.
“It’s a really good opportunity,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to going into a new environment and seeing what we can do next season.
“With the club’s connection with Western United and going in as Mark’s assistant, it made sense for me to come to Calder and continue to build the connection with the players.
Winterburn joined Calder having coached the FV Emerging Matildas senior team to finals for the first time in NPLW.
She started her coaching career as a 16-year-old in England before moving to Australia in 2018.
Maiorana was a senior assistant at Calder this year and previously coached some of their junior sides and steps up into the co-coaching role alongside Winterburn.
Winterburn said stepping into the shoes left vacant by Torcaso, who has taken on the Calder United head of football role, was both daunting and exciting.
Calder won three trophies this season despite fielding a younger side than in previous years.
“Calder is the most successful club in Victoria in the last few years,” he said. “There is pressure, but it is exciting.
“A like a challenge and a new challenge. There is pressure as they’re a very successful club and it is exciting.
“It’s a big challenge for myself and one that I’m looking forward to. It will be full on.”
Meanwhile, Andy Burnett has been appointed the club’s under-19 coach.
