In a first for WA, Perth Glory Women’s campaign will kick off with an exciting and tantalising double-header at nib Stadium, as Bobby Despotovski’s team host Western Sydney Wanderers on November 6, to mark the start of the 2016/17 season.
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Full Perth Glory FC Westfield W-League Fixtures 2016/17
Perth Glory FC Season At A Glance
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The 7pm Westfield W-League clash will follow what is expected to be a high-octane thriller between Glory’s Hyundai A-League outfit and the Wanderers, at 4pm.
Glory Women narrowly missed out on a finals berth last season, but American import Vanessa DiBernardo stole the show with her freak goal which won her the best goal of the season.
Despotovski will steer the Women’s team for a second season and said playing the first match at home as a double-header at nib Stadium, was the perfect kick-starter for the Women’s game.
“I think we’ve landed a gem for that opening clash” he said.
“We are delighted to be playing our first match of the season at nib and I know the girls will be pumped and ready for it.”
“I think it’s also allowed A-League fans to see what the Women’s game and what the W-League is about and to see some of the home-grown talent we’ve got ” he added.
Despotovski is still finalising his W-League squad but was confident DiBernardo, who also took out the MGP (Most Glorious Player) award last season, and some of the other imports would return for another season Down-Under.
“We’ve spoken to Vanessa and Nikki (Stanton) and the conversations have been fruitful so we hope to have them back with us along with a few others” Despotovski said.
Home-grown Matilda, Samantha Kerr, who starred and scored at the Rio Olympics, was also likely to return and play for Perth this coming season.
Glory Women will play 12 games in the 14 Round competition (two byes).
From this season on, the club can confirm it will play all its home fixtures (except for Round One) at Dorrien Gardens, the home of NPL-WA outfit Perth SC in North Perth.
Former Socceroos captain and President of Perth SC, Gary Marocchi said the partnership with Perth Glory was a coup for women’s football in WA.
“Perth SC is delighted to host Perth Glory women’s W-League team for the 2016/2017 season.”
“It continues the strong relationship we have formed with Perth Glory FC having hosted two FFA Cup matches over the last two years.”
“Perth SC is always looking for opportunities to showcase Dorrien Gardens as a “boutique” sporting venue” Marocchi said.
The Women’s team had previously trained and played at Ashfield Arena and the club would like to acknowledge all staff from Ashfield Soccer Club.
Glory’s National Youth League and National Premier League teams will continue to play at Ashfield
