Tara Murray
Western United women’s coach Mark Torcaso doesn’t have to look too deeply to see the motivation within the playing group.
Just days away from their inaugural A-League match, things have been ramping up at City Vista Reserve in preparation for kick off.
Torcaso, who had been the clubs’ women’s development squad coach, said it was a really exciting time for the club.
“The club has been excellent for the girls and gives them everything they need,” he said.
“There’s eight or 10 of the girls I worked with at Calder [United] and part of the academies before.
“I haven’t worked with everyone before, so it’s now about getting them altogether as a group.”
Torcaso said there was a real professional feel to the group from day one, despite not having played together.
He said the group had put a lot on the line individually to be part of the time.
“Their passion for the club makes the coaching part easy,” he said.
“They genuinely want to be here. There’s about 50 to 60 per cent who have had to realign their life to some extent.
“Whether it’s full time work down to part time work or not working at all. Some have gone from face-to-face uni to online uni.
“They’ve made a massive sacrifice to make sure this works.”
Torcaso said he had been impressed by the whole playing group on the track. He said he wouldn’t single out anyone in particular.
“They’ve all been fantastic,” he said. “Having coached the Calder players and seeing them adapt to this environment and go to another level.
“The international; players have set the standard.”
Chloe Logarzo is the last player to arrive having been playing in America. She was expected to join the side last week but was named in the Matildas squad for a couple of friendlies.
Torcaso said the opportunity for the locals to play with the likes of Jessica McDonald, Sydney Cummings and Hillary Beall.
“I think it comes down to development playing with players like that.
“The next level and being able to learn from layers with big experience. The development process during games and the players become better for having people like that around them.”
United was set to head to Ballarat on the weekend for a pre-season camp which includes a match with Melbourne Victory, which Torcaso said would be important in the development of the group.
They will then kick off their season at City Vista on November 19 against Victory.
Torcaso said they were excited to play in front of their home crowd.
“It’s a great training facility and set up,” he said. “It’s very important for us and we’re happy to play at our local ground and hopefully people from the north-west can jump on board.”
And as for expectations this season?
For a man that has led Calder United to a number of titles including three this year, is keeping things simple.
“I’ve got no expectations,” he said. “We’ll see what happens and roll with the punches.”
