Tara Murray
Calder United has looked from within to fill its squad for next year’s National Premier League Women’s season.
With just 13 players returning from its 2021 squad, United needed to look at new players for the squad.
President Amanda Stella said the club decided to promote players from the existing program.
“We had the situation going into 2022 only had 13 senior players,” she said.
“We could have poached some players from other teams or got in some established players. Or we could promote from within, which we decided to do.
“We’ve got seven reserves or under-19 players who have stepped in senior football at one time.
“We’ve got one brand new senior player to the club and she is 18.
“This is something to be proud of, as it’s not happening at many NPL clubs.”
Stella said this had been the aim for the club when it was first set up. In the early years it had to get players from outside the club, but now has the option of looking at juniors.
“Two of the girls started off as 12-year-olds in under-13s. They have gone through every age group.
“There’s a couple who started at under-15s as well. Some have made a few senior appearances in past years.”
Stella said she didn’t expect the squad changes to impact United’s results. The club has been one of the competition’s powerhouses in recent years.
She said many of those who were coming up had been part of their 2019 under-19 team which won everything that year.
“It’s been a rollercoaster of two years,” she said.
“These seven players have continue to work their butts off.
“I’m extremely confident in the level of talent that they have. I don’t believe there is a massive gap and a successful future is important.”
Stella said there were good numbers of players wanting to try out for the junior sides.
Meanwhile, FV announced last week that the NPLW competition will be professional competition from next year.
In a statement, FV said that league’s transition from amateur to professional status will create significant benefits for NPLW Clubs and Victorian female players, who will welcome a raft of changes that improve player security and financial entitlements.
FV president Antonella Care said that this was a momentous day for football in Victoria.
“Professionalising the NPLW has been discussed at length in the past and after extensive consultation with clubs, we collectively feel that 2022 is the right time to implement this new model,” she said.
