Tara Murray
Calder United’s on field results are starting to grow in the National Premier League Women’s competition.
After having nearly half a dozen players make the transition to play with Western United’s inaugural A-League side, it’s a different looking Calder side this season.
Co-coach Helen Winterburn said they were starting to play some good football in recent weeks.
“We are going well,” she said. “We had a good win against Heidelberg United and then played some good footy against FV Emerging, but we weren’t able to get the second goal.”
Winterburn said they had taken the opportunity this season to give some more younger players from the club the opportunity to play senior games.
She said the club would only benefit in the long run.
“There’s a lot of younger players coming through and a lot have come up from the under-19s,” she said.
“We’re had three or four under-19s play in each game this season. There’s also a number of players who didn’t get a lot of minutes previously.
“It’s positive for the group that they are getting an opportunity to play senior football. The results will come.”
Fiorina Iaria is one player that has stepped up and has started several games, scoring three goals.
Calder will get a boost in the coming weeks, with several players who have been part of Western United’s program returning to the squad.
The NPL transfer window opened last week and will be open until May 18.
Winterburn said they were excited to have some of those girls back with the team.
“We’ve had a few girls coming to train with us this week,” she said.
“It will lift the standard, being able to bring some of them back to Calder and it will help the younger players with their progress.”
Calder entered the weekend’s match sitting in eighth spot with two wins from their seven matches.
Calder was set to face South Melbourne on Sunday, after deadline.
The two sides drew 1-1.
Winterburn said they were looking forward to the challenge.
“It will be a big test for us,” she said before the game.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge and it’ll be another good team to play against. Every game is a different challenge.”
Calder is also still alive in the Nike F.C Cup as the side aims for a fifth straight title.
Calder faces Clifton Hill in round five on May 24.
