Tara Murray
Western United has appointed a self confessed soccer tragic as its inaugural A-League women’s coach for the 2022-23 season.
United, which is joined the A-League women’s competition this season, announced the appointment of Mark Torcaso as their first head coach for the first two seasons.
Torcaso, who is currently head coach of the National Premier League women’s side Calder United, is no stranger to Western United, having been the club’s coach of their women’s development squad.
Torcaso said it was pretty amazing to have an opportunity like this.
“I’ve been busting my arse for so long, it’s been good so far,” he said.
“It’s something I always wanted to do. I’m a football tragic, but my football career was ordinary.
“To give back in this capacity, I always thought I could, it’s great.
“I’m really excited to get the first women’s team on the park. It was always a dream to work professionally in an environment giving every girl an opportunity. Stage by stage for me – it’s not what’s next but making every effort to be successful in every stage.”
Torcaso has only ever coached women’s football. He coached Bundoora United in the old Victorian Premier League taking the side up the grades.
When they failed to get a license for the new NPLW competition, he joined Calder United in late 2015.
Since then Calder has been one of the standouts in the women’s game, with several titles.
Calder and Western have formed a close partnership in recent years, with a pathway now from juniors all the way through to the A-League for players in Melbourne’s west between the two clubs.
Torcaso said having been involved in the development squad, gave him an idea of some of the players who could be part of the first squad.
“The development squad has been important for the group,” he said. “They’ve been training once a week and we’ve started to identify players for the next level.
“The early mornings at 6am at City Vista are tough mornings.”
Torcaso said they were hoping to start making some player announcements in the coming weeks.
It will be a busy few weeks for Torcaso, as Calder United’s season comes to the pointy end.
The side will next week face the Bulleen Lions in the Nike F.C Cup semi final. Calder has won the last four titles in the knockout competition.
Calder also sits on top of the NPLW, five points clear with seven rounds remaining.
Torcaso said he would love to remain involved with Calder in some form in the future.
For now he’s focused on helping Calder finish their season strongly.
“They’ve exceeded all expectations this season,” he said.
“They’ve totally shown us they can do it. We look at every game as an opportunity. It’s amazing and we’re looking forward to it.”
Torcaso wasn’t the only appointment announced by Western United, with Amanda Stella appointed the club’s first women’s football manager.
Stella, who is president of Calder United, has worked as Western United’s football integration manager and has been instrumental in the partnership with Calder United and the growth of Western United’s women’s program.
