Western United’s signing blitz continues ahead of the A-League Women’s season.
United has re-signed Philippines star Jaclyn Sawicki for her second season with the club, while young talents Lucy Richards and Natalie Picak have joined the side.
Sawicki started in all three of the Philippines’ matches at the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup, playing a significant role in an historic tournament for her country.
After completing her extension, Sawicki said she is delighted to confirm her future with the green and black and is buoyed by how the team is looking heading into the new campaign.
“I am extremely excited and grateful to be part of another season with Western United,” she said.
“Given the results from our first season, we are naturally going to set high expectations for ourselves going into season two and I think the girls are going to come in determined to push for even more.
“It looks like we have added some great additions to our side so I am really looking forward to seeing what we can do as a collective for this Club this year.”
After shining in the FV National Training Centre and Emerging Matildas programs for a number of years, Richards joined Calder United in 2023 and has continued to impress.
The 21-year-old can play on either flank as a full back or a winger and produced a match-winning display in Calder’s NIKE F.C. Cup Final win last month.
Having been a train-on player at Melbourne City in previous seasons, Richards said she feels ready to make the step up and become a fully-fledged A-League player.
“I’m super excited to sign my first professional contract with Western United and just extremely grateful to the Club for the opportunity,” she said.
“From training and playing with some of the girls at Calder, it’s clear this group has heaps of drive coming into the season, so I’m keen to get started with the squad and try to help build on the success from last year.”
Goalkeeper Picak joined the roster on a scholarship deal.
The 18-year-old has signed after impressing for Calder throughout the NPLW Victoria season this year.
As a standout junior player, Picak then moved on to the FV NTC program and has found her breakthrough at senior level with Calder in 2023.
Picak’s form recently earned her the first national team call-up of her young career as she joined the Young Matildas in a training camp last week.
Now set to take her first professional opportunity in the A-League, Picak said she is counting down the days until she gets started.
“I am super excited to sign for Western United. It’s always been a dream to be part of an A-League club, especially my home club,” she said.
