Western Sydney Wanderers FC have today confirmed the re-signing of midfielder Melissa Caceres for the upcoming Liberty A-Leagues season.

Caceres is set to play in her second season with the Red & Black having joined the club off the back of a number of impressive performances in the Football NSW National Premier League Women’s competition.

The Bossley Park local scored on her debut for the Wanderers and went on to feature in 10 matches despite her season being marred with injuries. 

Caceres said she was looking to pick up where she left off last season.

“I think one of the things that really hit me when I started (at the Wanderers) was how much I could really relate to the club and the values of the club,” said Caceres.

“It felt like it really was my home and I’m representing that so it’s a nice feeling.

“My goal for next season would be to play consistently and that would also include performing well and my body being right. 

“I’m working on my body being right in the off-season so that I am able to put in those consistent performances. I want to play 90 minutes and I would like to get some goals and assists – the way I started last season.”

Head coach Kat Smith spoke highly of the traits that Caceres has.

“Mel’s presence on the pitch was certainly missed due to unfortunate injuries last season. With a good run on minutes, Mel can certainly contribute to the scoreboard,” said Smith.

“We talk about fight, unity and excellence at the club and Mel possesses these traits. She is a winner and the type of character to drive this playing group and club forward.”

The post Caceres signs on for 2023/24 season appeared first on Western Sydney Wanderers.

Clare Hunt on her previous experiences in the W-League competition and the collective goals for the Wanderers in 2021/22.

Embarking in her fourth season in the W-League with the Red & Black, Hunt is eager to continue her development and share her lessons learned from her first few seasons in the competition.

“My experience in previous seasons (with Canberra United) has been valuable and something I am eager to continue to develop this season,” said Hunt.

“I have a strong capacity to lead by example in my work rate, desire to excel, and actions on and off the field. 

“In this, I am looking to contribute to a solid defensive unit this season.”

Having played against the Wanderers before, Hunt knows exactly what to expect from the Red & Black’s mentality and style of play.

“Playing against the Wanderers previously has always proved to be a challenging, well-contested match.

“The Wanderers have had the capacity previously to compete in second-half comebacks, which shows strong character, a desire to win, and a capability to shift and maintain momentum within a game.

“I am passionate about with a mentality like this and to be surrounded by like-minded players is exciting.”

With the upcoming W-League season on the horizon, the defender is determined to achieve her goals on both a club and personal level. 

“From a club perspective, I believe the  collective goal is to win consistently and secure a Finals Series spot,” said Hunt. 

“To do this with the club would be extremely rewarding.

“Personally, this season I want to develop as a footballer and take in as much of this experience as I possibly can.

“For me, this looks like consistency in performance, and utilising the endless resources to develop myself and players around me.”

The post Hunt excited for first season in Red and Black appeared first on Western Sydney Wanderers.

Wanderers legend Ante Covic has been voted by Wanderers members as the goalkeeper in the club’s Team of the Decade. 

The foundation player had a decorated three seasons at the Red & Black which saw him win an A-League Premiership and AFC Champions League as well as A-League Goalkeeper of the Year and Champions League Most Valuable Player.

Covic made a record 97 appearances for the Red & Black in the A-League, Champions League, FFA Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

Ante Covic will now be honoured in a lapel pin that can be collected by Wanderers members during Season X at Wanderland.

Wanderers members can now place their votes for the club’s Right Back in the Team of the Decade. 

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Western Sydney Wanderers FC have today confirmed the signing of Sheridan Gallagher for the upcoming W-League season.

The forward is set to play in her first season of the W-League competition with the Wanderers after honing her craft in the National Premier League Women’s competition and US College System with William Carey University.

Head coach Catherine Cannuli welcomed Gallagher to the club.

“We welcome Sheridan to the club for the upcoming 2021/22 season and look forward to watching her continue to grow and develop at the club,” said Cannuli.

“It is very important that we continue to give young footballers the opportunity to be part of our W-League set-up and as we have seen over the last few seasons, their development has seen them earn starting positions at the club.”

Gallagher said she was excited for her first W-League season.

“I am excited to have my first W-League contract with the Wanderers. All my hard-work has paid off and I am looking forward to playing and training with the team,” said Gallagher.

“From watching the Wanderers play, I know that they are a hard-working, cohesive and professional team.

“I am expecting the level of training and playing to be a step-up from the National Premier League Women’s.

“My goals are to first be part of the starting team and then to hopefully make Finals with the club.”

The post Gallagher inks first deal appeared first on Western Sydney Wanderers.

Sport Super Sunday is being held at vaccination centres for the twelve local government areas of concern this weekend to help Team NSW beat COVID-19. 

Sport Super Sunday is being held at vaccination centres for the twelve local government areas of concern this weekend to help Team NSW beat COVID-19. 

 Plenty of appointments are available at Qudos Bank Arena and the NSW Health Vaccination Centre at Sydney Olympic Park and the Vaccination Centre at Macquarie Fields this Sunday, August 29, for all sports lovers. 

NSW Deputy Secretary Susan Pearce called on everyone who loves to play or watch sport to run up the score this weekend and set a new Super Sunday vaccination record. 

“Sporting codes will go head-to-head to compete for the NSW Vaccination Championship Cup, and know that they are doing the best thing for their health, and the health of their community,” Ms Pearce said. 

“Previous Super Sundays helped vaccinate more than 10,000 supermarket and food industry workers, construction workers and university students in one day, but now it’s time for you to step up for your favourite team or sport. 

“Our vaccination hubs have bookings available for people aged 16 – 39 in local government areas of concern across Sydney and we want to see sporting clubs rally together and promote vaccinations across their teams. 

“It would be great to see people wearing team colours at our hubs to go into the draw for some great prizes and a chance to prove which code came out the strongest.” 

Those aged 16 to 39 who live in Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta, Strathfield or Penrith, should make a booking here: nsw.gov.au/vacc16-39 

Wear team uniforms, colours, or gear and take a selfie to post on your local club sites with the hash tag #vaccinationchampion 

If you can’t make it this Sunday, we have other vaccination appointments at our centres over the next two weeks. 

Every person who gets vaccinated is making a difference and will help get us all back to sport sooner. 

By teaming up, we can vaccinate as many people as possible to stop the spread of COVID-19. 

The post Score for your community this Super Sunday appeared first on Western Sydney Wanderers.

Defender Teigan Allen on her return to the club and the growth of women’s football over the last decade. 

The Penrith local returns to the club with over 120 appearances to her name in the domestic competition as well as international experience having played overseas in both Norway and the United States.

Allen was part of the Wanderers foundation W-League squad where she featured in 21 matches during her two-season stint and played alongside head coach and Wanderers legend Catherine Cannuli.

The versatile defender’s return to the club comes at the right time with Allen ready to take her football to the next level.

“I’m at a stage in my career where I understand the importance of atmosphere and energy from within a team and club,” explained Allen.

“I know I will be able to get the most out of myself and play my best football if/when I am surrounded by a healthy football environment and I do believe that the club and Catherine (head coach Catherine Cannuli) have and will provide that.

“Catherine has always been a leader and role model to me since I first started my professional football career.

“I have so much respect for her on and off the field. 

“I know playing for the Wanderers with Catherine as head coach, myself and my team will be pushed to our football limits. Putting us in a position where we can be a top-quality team week in and week out giving us the best opportunity we have to finish on top.”

Having been on the domestic football scene for over a decade now, Allen has seen the growth of women’s football first-hand and is excited to link up with her teammates at the Wanderers Centre of Football next month.

“Women’s football, in general, has come a long way since I was last at the Wanderers,” said Allen.

“The club itself has invested a lot into women’s football space which is nothing less than amazing to know and see.

“This has shown how much of an impact a top-quality football environment can have on the growth and development of the squad and club.

“From the world-class training facilities, sponsorships, recovery facilities, the best coaching staff, medical staff and nutritionists, everything that they provide a player to really excel.”

Such extensive experience and knowledge of the W-League competition will see Allen as a leader in the Wanderers squad for the upcoming season.

“I do see myslef as a leader coming into a team with a lot of young blood,” said Allen.

“I have been fortunate to travel the world with football trhough the national team playing in teams overseas, competing on the World Stage and being selected for two World Cups.

“I will definitely be spreading my knowledge and plan to be a role model for the younger generation at the Wanderers.”

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From pre-season preparations in the midst of a state-wide lockdown, new recruits landing in Western Sydney and all the expectations for the A-League season ahead. Wanderers A-League head coach Carl Robinson reveals all.

From pre-season preparations in the midst of a state-wide lockdown, new recruits landing in Western Sydney, and all the expectations for the A-League season ahead. Wanderers A-League head coach Carl Robinson reveals all.

It has been a busy off-season and pre-season at the Wanderers Centre of Football in Blacktown with the shifting of the guards in the A-League side.

With some familiar faces moving on and new faces being brought in, head coach Carl Robinson has pressed the reset button ahead of the club’s tenth season in the A-League competition.

“It’s been a busy off-season with lots of positive changes. I wanted to remodel the roster, there were a lot of players out of contract which allowed me to review it, analyse it and reset it to build on the positives that were there last year,” said Robinson.

“But it was also making sure that we had the right understanding of what we wanted when we brought players in, to make sure we had the right profiles that could not just fit tactically and technically, but also have the right personalities.

“To be a successful team you need good people. To be a successful team you need talented players and to be a successful team you need to all be going in the right direction.

“So there has been a lot of work done in the off-season in relation to finding those identified individuals that can help the club moving forward.”

Robinson’s recruitment of players for the upcoming A-League season has seen a two-fold approach.

The first being players that identify with or have had a relationship with the Western Sydney region. The second being players that have extensive football experience in the domestic competition.

“Being at the club for almost a year now, you understand what this club means to people,” explained Robinson.

“Finding out what the values of this football club are was very important to me because now I understand how to tap into players’ minds, peoples’ minds, and make sure we’re all on the same page.

“I did look at whether players were from this area (when recruiting them).

“The people from the Western Sydney region have a certain characteristic in them. It’s a fight until the end and I need to find players that are willing to do that.

“They are people that are not given anything, and they have to earn things.

“You see that with the number of players that are from this area that understand or have been at the club before, they understand what Western Sydney and what this club is about.”

Out of the Wanderers newest recruits, Terry Antonis, Ramy Najjarine, Dimi Petratos, and Steven Ugarkovic (Jan 2021) all have a link to the Western Sydney region having grown up and played their junior football in the area.

“When you’re new and you walk into the doors at the club, you feel the warmth of the club,” said Robinson.

“The club have got really good people working here and we’re all here to win.

“But to win takes time and it’s important that you put building blocks and foundations in the right way, and the right way is to understand the values and characteristics of what Western Sydney is all about.

“People like Dimi, Stevie, Terry, and Ramy have all lived here and understand what it is all about.

“When I first took the job at Newcastle, there was Stevie and the first thing he said to me was that he’s a Western Sydney boy and he’s proud to be a Western Sydney boy.”

Looking outside of the Western Sydney lens, Robinson has also brought in two senior talents at both ends of the pitch that are set to shake up the Wanderers squad this season.

At one end is towering central defender Rhys Williams.

“I’ve known Rhys for a number of years. I was actually in one of the Welsh squads when he was an under-21 player many, many years ago when I was a national team player and he sat on the bench,” reflected Robinson.

“So I remember him from there before he changed allegiance and went to Australia.

“I tried to sign Rhys in Vancouver when he was playing in the A-League with Melbourne Victory. So I did my recruitment on him three years ago.

“I knew he was recently playing in Saudi Arabia and he was very successful there. He played every minute of every game being the captain.

“I looked at it and thought, what we lacked last year was voices. What we lacked a little bit was understanding in certain scenarios.

“Rhys has had a great career, but he’s still got the hunger and desire to want to win as well.

“My first conversation with Rhys was pretty simple. I decided to move one or two things around and I was looking for a profile of a player that could fit in well to how I want to play, and he fit that well.

“He liked what we are trying to build here and he wanted to be part of it.”

At the other end is prolific international striker Tomer Hemed.

“Well, he’s got a track record of scoring goals. Everyone in the A-League knows that and he scored goals for Wellington last season,” said Robinson.

“I was aware of Tomer about 18 months ago. He was in Brighton and then went on loan to Charlton (Athletic) in League One. I knew all about him and I knew he was looking for something different.

“So when he signed for Wellington, I wasn’t surprised. Obviously, it took him a bit of time to get up to speed but he did exceptionally well for them and scored a number of goals.

“We had a reset in the front areas of the pitch, so we were light on the front areas of the pitch. So what we had decided to do was look at all our European targets, South American targets, and internal targets.

“When I say internal, I mean league players so league players that are here in the country. After a quick conversation with Tomer, he made it pretty clear that he wanted to be based in Sydney and he wanted to play another season in the A-League.

“His goals last season spoke for itself.

“Tomer is a very charismatic man, very articulate, very smart, and has a desire to win. Numerous times in the conversation I had with him it was all about being a professional, winning, setting standards, and all the fundamentals of a player that a manager wants to bring in.

“He was one that I straight away knew would be a perfect addition for us as we have some fantastic young players in this football club, and more coming through, and they need to be set the standards and targets. Who better than a group of senior players that are as good as anyone.”

With so many young players pushing through the Academy ranks and the Wanderers first team squad, it was fantastic to recently see midfielder Keanu Baccus on the world stage at the Tokyo Olympics.

Baccus returned to the club’s Centre of Football late last week after hotel quarantine to link up with his teammates and is set to play in his sixth A-League season.

For Robinson, the return of Baccus signifies more than just depth in the Wanderers squad but rather the return of an individual that represents exactly what Western Sydney is about.

“First of all, I love Keanu. He’s a fantastic boy and he’s got great experience in this league, he went and represented the Olyroos in the Olympics and did well when he played,” said Robinson.

“Keanu played more games than any other midfield player in our squad last season. I left him out for three games and he came on as a substitute in all of those games.

“Towards the end of the season, I saw him play some of the best football he’s ever played. He’s a fantastic boy and he’s a fantastic player.

“I can still improve him and he can still improve himself.

“He is a huge part of this club moving forward and he epitomizes what this club is all about. Hard work, determination, fire, and desire.

“He’s got a mindset of improvement and he wants to be better every day and that takes you to a certain level.

“As a manager, you want players that want to learn and he certainly wants to learn.”

The Wanderers pre-season preparations commenced at the start of this month under strict government rules and regulations to prepare for a season kick-off date of 30 October 2021.

Preparations have been as smooth as they can be with the majority of the Wanderers squad training together daily with the exception of players that are in locked-down LGA’s or yet to arrive in the country.

“The most important thing is that people are safe and everyone follows the rules and does what they need to do so we can get back to normal as quickly as possible,” said Robinson.

“Obviously we’re training which is great and we’re very fortunate and lucky to do.

“At the moment it’s about getting basic levels of fitness and integrating in the players we have brought in so that they understand the way that we work.

“We understand that we’re all as important as each other. Whether you’re the goalkeeper or whether you’re player 21 or 22, or you’re an Academy player as we’ve got a lot more Academy players in the group at the moment.

“It’s drip-feeding the players on what is required on a daily basis and what is required each week. Tactically drip-feeding them as well as we don’t have a point of reference yet for a game so what we can do is get them in the right frame of mind.

“Key to it is not to become monotonous. So trying to keep our ideas and their minds fresh so they don’t know what’s coming.

“But we’ll be prepared and ready for when we do come out the other end as we know we will.”

The Wanderers had a mixed first season under Robinson with plenty of positives and negatives to grow from ahead of what is set to be the club’s historic tenth season in the A-League.

“There were a lot of positives last season but there were a lot of things we need to improve on,” said Robinson.

“We conceded far too many goals, especially from set-pieces, so we need to own that, accept that and we will. That needs to improve.

“We scored a lot of goals but I still think we missed a lot of chances. I still want us to be more aggressive in certain areas of the field.

“We got into a rhythm of the way we wanted to play and I won’t go away from the way that we want to play. The style on my methodology is very clear and that’s what I need to do now with our new personnel.

“That’s the reason why I reset and brought in different profiles because I think the different profile of player might understand the way I want to play a little bit more.

“We want to play front-foot football, we want to add more aggression to our game and we actually want to try to dominate more than what we did last season in games with the attacking intent that we had at times but not clear enough.

“We want to win more games, that was clear and we were close in so many games but ultimately that was our shortfall.

“But we’ve analysed that, we weren’t too far away but we weren’t good enough. We’ll be better this season, we’ll be good enough this season and we’re here to win.

“There’s no bones about it. People can talk about finishing fourth or fifth, but that’s not what it’s about. We want to try and win, but we know there’s a lot of hard work and need a little bit of luck along the way.”

With just over two months to go until the Wanderers kick-off Season 10, Robinson is confident that his new personnel combined with the support of the club’s members and fans can make all the difference this season.

“We’re fully focused, we’re fully committed and we’ve got a group of players that understand the values of what the Western Sydney Wanderers are all about,” stated Robinson.

“We’ll get our members and fans behind us as they’re really important for us as well, we’ve seen how important they were last season and we have to continue to fight, grow and get better.

“Then there’s no reason why we can’t go on and win.”

The post Long read: Catch up with Carl Robinson appeared first on Western Sydney Wanderers.

Western Sydney Wanderers FC are proud to announce the signing of defender Teigen Allen for the upcoming W-League season.

The experienced defender returns to the club with over 120 appearances in the domestic competition as well as international experience with clubs Välerenga in Norway and Western New York Flash in the United States.

A Penrith Nepean junior, Allen brings a winning mentality and attitude to the club having won a number of accolades including an AFC Asian Cup, FFA Cup of Nations, and a W-League Premiership twice. 

Allen was part of the inaugural Wanderers W-League squad, making 21 appearances over two seasons, where she played alongside club legend and head coach Catherine Cannuli.

Head coach Catherine Cannuli welcomed Allen back to the club.

“Teigen played an instrumental role in helping create the foundations of what the Wanderers W-League team looked like and stood for in its early years,” said Cannuli.

“It is fantastic to welcome back a player of such calibre to our club and a person who comes from the Western Sydney region that understands our mentality and ethos.

“Teigen is a true professional and someone that our next generation of Wander Women can look up to.”

Allen said she was ready to be pushed to her football limits at the Red & Black.

“I’m at a stage in my career where I understand the importance of atmosphere and energy within a team and a club,” said Allen.

“I know I will be able to get the most out of myself and play my best football if and/when I am surrounded by a healthy football environment and I do believe the club and Catherine (head coach Catherine Cannuli) will and have provided that. 

“Catherine has always been a leader and a role to model to me since I first started my professional football career. I have so much respect for her on and off the field.

“I know playing for the Wanderers with Catherine as head coach, myself and my team will be pushed to our football limits. Putting us in a position to be a top-quality team, week in and week out, giving us the best opportunity we have to come finish on top.”

The post Allen returns for Season 10 appeared first on Western Sydney Wanderers.

New signing Bianca Galic is ready to show what she’s made of in her second season of the W-League competition. 

The 21-year-old spent her first season of the competition in the nation’s capital with Canberra United where she made four appearances and scored one goal in the back-end of the season.

For Galic, the experiences from her first season in the W-League are something that she can grow from in her second season with the Wanderers.

“Last season was great for me. I met new people, learnt how to adapt to a new playing style and was constantly pushed in a professional environment – something that I hadn’t been involved in before,” said Galic. 

“After looking back at the season, I know I was well and truly out of my comfort zone and I can definitely say that I have grown as a person and as a player. 

“At the end of the day, change is what helps you grow and that’s exactly what I achieved last season.

“The W-League competition itself is intense and every game was a game you had to win.

“Two of the most memorable moments I had with Canberra United was scoring my first W-League goal on home ground territory and making it to the semifinals – an achievement Canberra hadn’t reached in 4 years.”

Galic has spent her entire youth and senior career in the ranks of Sydney University’s National Premier League Women’s team so to be able to now represent a Sydney-based club in the W-League is a dream come true for the young midfielder.

“My football development started in Sydney at a very young age,” reflected Galic.

“To be representing a Sydney based team in the W-League is something you dream of when you’re in the youth system. 

“It’s great to be able to tick that off my list this year and have the support of my family and friends at each game in Western Sydney.

“In terms of the club, the Wanderers have been known to always  fight for every match, every goal and every point and that’s something that resonates with me – it’s a direct reflection of the spirit and culture of the club.

“These last few years the Wanderers have been re-building a squad that’s in contention for Finals football and I’m excited to help the club and Cath (head coach Catherine Cannuli) get there this season. 

With the club’s W-League pre-season expected to start in the coming weeks, Galic is determined to become a consistent and reliable player in the 2021/22 squad.

“Personally, I’d like to keep growing my game and take it a step further than last season,” said Galic.

“It would be great to find myself scoring some goals and assisting my teammates to score their own. I also want to be a consistent player that my teammates can rely on, week in and week out.

“I know Cath (head coach Catherine Cannuli) has high expectations of where she wants to take the club and I’d like to help push the team to achieve what we set out to do.

“It would be great on a personal and club level to make another Finals Series appearance!”

The post Galic ready to impress in her second W-League season appeared first on Western Sydney Wanderers.

Western Sydney Wanderers FC have today confirmed the signing of midfielder Bianca Galic for the upcoming W-League season.

The young gun joins the club from Canberra United where she played in her first W-League season.

Galic has been a familiar face in the NSW National Premier League Women’s competition where she has plied her trade at Sydney University since she was 14.

The 21-year-old will bolster the Wanderers midfield as new head coach Catherine Cannuli prepares for the 2021/22 season.

Cannuli welcomed Galic to the club, commending her work ethic and development over recent seasons.

“Bianca is a very hard-worker and understands what we are trying to build here at the Wanderers,” said Cannuli.

“Bianca has gone from strength to strength in the National Premier League competition and we have been keeping an eye on her development over the last few years.

“It was fantastic to see her break into the W-League competition last season with Canberra and we are very excited to have her now in Red & Black.”

Galic said she was delighted to play for the Wanderers this W-League season.

“My football development started in Sydney at a very young age so to be representing a Sydney-based team in the W-League is something you dream of when you’re in the youth system,” said Galic.

“It’s great to be able to tick that off my list this year and have the support of my family and friends at each game in Western Sydney.

“The Wanderers have been known to always fight for every match, every goal and every point and that’s something that resonates with me – it’s a direct reflection of the spirit and culture of the club.

“These last few seasons, the Wanderers have been re-building a squad that’s in contention for Finals football and I’m excited to help the club and (head coach) Catherine Cannuli get there this season.

“I know Cath has high expectations of where she wants to take the club and I’d like to help push the team to achieve what we set out to do.

“It would be great on a personal and club level to make another Finals Series appearance!”

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