The FFV today launched Melbourne Victory’s 2013/2014 Westfield W-League campaign at AAMI Park.
Football Federation Victoria (FFV) today launched Melbourne Victory-s 2013/2014 Westfield W-League campaign at AAMI Park with several exciting announcements on and off the field.
After losing last season-s Westfield W-League Grand Final, Melbourne Victory has signalled its determination to go one step further this season with some key signings and the retention of several stars.
Matildas young gun Stephanie Catley will captain the team for the first time, while the arrival of fellow Matilda and former Perth Glory striker Lisa De Vanna - who is rated as one of Australia-s supreme talents - will add firepower to the Victory-s attack.
De Vanna has scored 26 goals from 75 appearances with the Matildas and joins fellow national team players Catley, Ashley Brown and Brianna Davey in the 20-player squad, with last season-s Welsh revelation Jessica Fishlock committing to another season.
Talented central defender Emma Checker and midfielder Alex Natoli have joined from Adelaide United, while head coach David Edmondson has rewarded promising Victorian teenagers Beattie Goad and Emily Hulbert with their first Melbourne Victory contracts.
Swede Jessica Samuelsson and New Zealander Katie Hoyle are the Victory-s two international signings.
Edmondson said he was delighted with his squad and its preparation as it prepares to secure a maiden W-League title.
“We have a great balance of local, interstate and international players, which is pleasing,” Edmondson said.
“To have four Matildas players representing Melbourne Victory this season is a huge bonus for us.
“The experience they have gained on the international stage will no doubt hold them and the rest of the squad in good stead, particularly for new captain Steph Catley who shows all the attributes to be an outstanding leader.
“Training has been fantastic and the girls can-t wait to kick off the season in a grand final rematch against Sydney next week.”
It has also been a successful season off the field also with the Victory donning six corporate partners on its squad uniforms.
Jetts Fitness, Banking on Football, Pro Sports Group, Match Attax Trading Card Game, PhotobookShop and the Reagan Milstein Foundation have all jumped on board to support the navy blue in the season ahead.
FFV CEO Mitchell Murphy said the new partnerships were a testament to the rapid growth of women-s football in Australia.
“Female participation remains the fastest growing sector in football and a thriving W-League competition and the success of the Westfield Matildas in recent years have not gone unnoticed,” Murphy said.
“With a terrific coach and some strong additions to an already talented squad, this excitement has now been met with unprecedented off-field support from the corporate sector,” Murphy said.
Melbourne Victory will take on the Women-s Premier League All Stars of Victoria in a friendly match at 2pm on Saturday at John Cain Memorial Park.
MELBOURNE VICTORY 2013/2014 SQUAD:
1. Brianna DAVEY Age: 18 Nationality: Australian Position: Goalkeeper Matildas caps: 8 Melbourne Victory appearances: 25 Played off-season for: Bundoora United FC (Victorian Women-s Premier League), Linköpings FC (Damallsvenskan, Sweden)
2. Rebekah STOTT Age: 20 Nationality: Australian/New Zealand Position: Defender Melbourne Victory appearances: 25 Played off-season for: SC Sand (Bundesliga Women, Germany)
3. Jessica HUMBLE Age: 27 Nationality: Australian Position: Defender Melbourne Victory appearances: 9 Played off-season for: Box Hill United (Victorian Women-s Premier League)
4. Katie HOYLE Age: 25 Nationality: New Zealand Position: Midfielder Melbourne Victory appearances: 0 Played off-season for: Eastern Suburbs AFC (Lotto Sport Italia NRLF Premier League, New Zealand)
5. Laura SPIRANOVIC Age: 21 Nationality: Australian Position: Striker Melbourne Victory appearances: 14 Played off-season for: South Melbourne Women-s FC (Victorian Women-s Premier League)
6. Cindy LAY Age: 19 Nationality: Australian Position: Midfielder Melbourne Victory appearances: 7 Played off-season for: EAP (Victorian Women-s Premier League)
7. Stephanie CATLEY (c) Age: 19 Nationality: Australian Position: Defender/Midfielder Matildas caps: 9 Melbourne Victory appearances: 38 Played off-season for: Sandringham SC (Victorian Women-s Premier League)
8. Ashley BROWN Age: 18 Nationality: Australian Position: Striker Matildas caps: 6 Melbourne Victory appearances: 24 Played off-season for: N/A (recovering from ACL injury)
9. Caitlin FRIEND Age: 19 Nationality: Australian Position: Striker Melbourne Victory appearances: 30 Played off-season for: Bundoora United FC (Victorian Women-s Premier League)
10. Jessica FISHLOCK Age: 26 Nationality: Welsh Position: Midfielder Melbourne Victory appearances: 6 Played off-season for: Seattle Reign FC (National Women-s Soccer League), Glasgow City (Scottish Women-s Premier League)
11. Lisa DE VANNA Age: 28 Nationality: Australian Position: Striker Matildas caps: 75 Melbourne Victory appearances: 0 Played off-season for: Sky Blue FC (National Women-s Soccer League, USA)
12. Jessica SAMUELSSON Age: 21 Nationality: Swedish Position: Defender Melbourne Victory appearances: 0 Previous club: Linköpings FC (Damallsvenskan, Sweden)
13. Tiffany ELIADIS Age: 18 Nationality: Australian Position: Striker Melbourne Victory appearances: 7 Played off-season for: South Melbourne Women-s FC (Victorian Women-s Premier League)
14. Enza BARILLA Age: 22 Nationality: Australian Position: Midfielder Melbourne Victory appearances: 44 Played off-season for: Bundoora United FC (Victorian Women-s Premier League)
15. Emma CHECKER Age: 17 Nationality: Australian Position: Defender Melbourne Victory appearances: 0 Played off-season for: West Torrens Birkalla under-18 men-s (National Premier Leagues, South Australia)
16. Beattie GOAD Age: 16 Nationality: Australian Position: Midfielder Melbourne Victory appearances: 0 Played off-season for: EAP (Victorian Women-s Premier League)
17. Gülcan KOCA Age: 23 Nationality: Australian/Turkish Position: Midfielder Melbourne Victory appearances: 18 Played off-season for: Bundoora United FC (Victorian Women-s Premier League)
18. Emily HULBERT Age: 17 Nationality: Australian Position: Midfielder Melbourne Victory appearances: 0 Played off-season for: Box Hill United (Victorian Women-s Premier League)
19. Alex NATOLI Age: 17 Nationality: Australian Position: Defender Melbourne Victory appearances: 0 Played off-season for: EAP (Victorian Women-s Premier League)
20. Cassandra DIMOVSKI Age: 19 Nationality: Australian Position: Goalkeeper Melbourne Victory appearances: 3 Played off-season for: South Melbourne Women-s FC (Women-s Victorian Premier League)