Perth Glory Women’s quest for championship success begins on Saturday when a new look team kicks-off its Westfield W-League campaign against Melbourne Victory at Broadmeadows Valley Park.
After finishing last year at the top of the table and reaching the W-League Grand Final in December, expectations are high heading into this season.
The team was administered by Football West for the past seven years but now it sits with the Perth Glory family, joining the Hyundai A-League and Foxtel National Youth League teams.
Taking over as head coach is former Perth Glory FC star-striker Bobby Despotovski, who most recently coached the Perth Glory NPL U20’s to a championship.
“The dynamics of coaching in itself and explaining the systems is exactly the same,” Despotovski said of his transition from the Men’s game to the Women’s. “I was driving my under-20’s to win every game that they possibly can, and I’m going to do that with the girl’s team as well.”
The team will be counting on new captain Samantha Kerr to help drive them to wins too. The 22-year-old Fremantle native will have a key role in midfield and attack, and will be expected to be a creative hub for the team, whether employed on the wing or in the middle.
She is one of several Matilda regulars flanked in support by goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, forward Caitlin Foord and defender Kim Carroll but the squad is mainly made up of talented Western Australians.
After collecting the Premiers Plate for the first time in club history last year, the club fell one step short of the championship, losing in the Grand Final against Canberra United.
Despotovski said that makes the goal for this season very clear.
“Winning the championship is the driver. We want to win as many games as we can, get into the top four and win it from there,” he said.
The club is expecting two more arrivals in the coming weeks to help achieve those goals, including a foreign import from a Women’s football powerhouse nation but Despotovski was coy in revealing any more details to PG News.
The title chase begins on Saturday away to Melbourne Victory, kicking off at 12.00Â AWST at Broadmeadows Valley Park in Melbourne.
Perth Glory Women will play its first home game against Newcastle Jets at Ashfield Reserve on October 24 at 4pm.
Perth Glory Women’s foundation memberships are on sale and can be purchased HERE
#ThreeTeamsOneGloryÂ
Â
Match Details
Saturday, 17 October 2015
Melbourne Victory Women vs. Perth Glory Women
Broadmeadows Valley Park, Melbourne
Kick-Off: 3:00Â PM (Local) (12:00Â PM AWST)
Â
Perth Glory Women travelling squad: 1. Mackenzie ARNOLD (GK), 2. Sarah CARROLL, 3. Kim CARROLL, 4. Katie HOLTHAM 5. Shannon MAY, 6. Carla BENNETT,  8. Shawn BILLAM, 9. Caitlin FOORD, 12. Katie SCHUBERT, 13. Danielle BROGAN 14. Caitlin DOEGLAS 16. Thia EASTMAN, 18. Gabby DAL BUSCO (GK), 19. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 20. Samantha KERR (C)
