Canberra United FC

Canberra United
Full name Canberra United Football Club
Founded 2008
Ground McKellar Park
Ground Capacity 3,500 (460 seats)
Chairman Kate Lundy
Coach Rae Dower
League W-League
2015–16 2nd (league)
Website Club home page
Caitlin Munoz

Canberra United Football Club is a soccer club based in Canberra, Australia. For the women's team, it competes in the country's premier women's competition, the W-League. For the men's and youth teams, it competes in the NPL Capital Football competition. The club was formed in 2008 for the W-League's inaugural season.[1]

Canberra is the only team in the league that is not affiliated to a men's A-League club. The restructuring of a youth development program in 2016 sees the addition of a Canberra United Academy team league to the NPL Capital Football competition.[2] Additionally, a team in the National Youth League from Canberra also competes (the Australian Institute of Sport).

In their first W-League season Canberra were runners-up in the Grand Final, defeated by Queensland Roar (now Brisbane Roar). Canberra were crowned Premiers and Champions in the 2011–12 season after winning the league and defeating Brisbane Roar in the Grand Final.

W-League

History

2008–09 Season

The first announcement of the club came in July 2008, coinciding with the establishment of the new W-League. The formation of the new club presented a unique situation in the league, that it was not associated with an established A-League side. In August, Canberra appointed Matildas assistant coach Robbie Hooker as coach for the inaugural season, and ACT Senator Kate Lundy as club chair.[3][4] United also announced its first key signing in local Canberran and Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams. Hooker made a number of key signings in the first registration window, also securing Caitlin Munoz, Amy Chapman, Grace Gill-McGrath, Hayley Crawford, Rhian Davies, Thea Slatyer for the inaugural season. The squad was further expanded in the lead up to the first round, signing on a number of players from the ACT and Southern NSW, and also signing Sasha McDonnell and Kara Mowbray from Queensland. The final squad presented significant strength on paper, boasting eight full internationals and a further four Young Matildas.

United started the season steadily, alternating losses and wins in the opening rounds, including a win over eventual Premiers Queensland Roar. Scoring came with some difficulty for the side, with four goals in their opening first five matches. Influencing this record was an injury to striker Caitlin Munoz in Round 1, keeping her sidelined for a number of weeks. Munoz's return to the side in Round 6 immediately lifted the scoring rate, contributing four goals in the last five rounds. Despite early losses, Canberra were unbeaten in the last seven rounds of the competition, achieving a third-placed finish with a record of four wins, four draws and two losses. Canberra's strength throughout the season has been in defence, drawn from a number of experienced players. In front of a dependable Williams in goal, a defensive backline led by Thea Slatyer and captain Ellie Brush frustrated opposition and ensured the second-best defensive record in the competition, bettered only by Premiers Queensland.

United won their away semi-final against Newcastle Jets,[5] and progressed to the inaugural final, where they were defeated by Queensland Roar.

2009 season

There were a number of changes at Canberra for their second season, most notably the departure of Robbie Hooker and appointment of Ray Junna as coach.[6] Junna has commenced preparations for the new season to establish a new squad, and has retained most of the locally based players. Star striker from the previous season Caitlin Munoz is unable to play this season due to a knee operation, but has accepted an assistant coach role with Junna.[7]

2013–14 season

Before the season the team appointed Liesbeth Migchelsen, a former Dutch International, as head coach[8] and Raeanne Dower as assistant coach.[9]

2014–15 season

Canberra United booked their place in the W-league Finals series with the most unlikely of wins over Premiers Perth Glory in the final match of the regular season. United needed at least 1 point to make the finals but faced off against the hardest of opponents in the Glory who had run away with the Premiership title with ten wins from eleven matches heading into the final match at Viking Park, Canberra. Things did not seem like they were going to plan when United went behind in the 53rd minute but they came from behind with goals to Heyman & Sykes clinching third spot in the league and finals football.[10]

Canberra United drew Melbourne Victory for the W-League semi-finals and headed down to Kardinia Park in Geelong to square off for the right to line up in the Final. American import, Chantel Jones, proved to be the influential winner as United progressed to the Grand Final thanks to her glovesmenship in a tightly fought penalty shootout after the match ended nill – nill. Chantel revealed after the match she chose to go left in the Victory's final penalty kick because their previous four penalties also went to the left hand side. This proved a treat as Jones saved the shot before guest signing, Kendall Fletcher, stepped up to slot the final shot into the net and book the girls from the Capital a ticket to the Grand Final.[11]

United came up against familiar foe in the Grand Final as they faced the Premiers Perth Glory for the second time in three matches. the Glory were heavy favourites leading into the match after setting a string of records including most goals scored, most points accumulated, highest winning streak to start the season and getting the privilege to play at home for the final at Perth Oval. But it was United who would cause a boilover in the west to secure their second Championship in the club's history. United opened the scoring with a pulsating strike by Stephanie Ochs but the Glory pulled level through their own long range strike by Shelina Zadorsky. This set the stage for a tense finish to the match and the 2,671 fans were treated to some football drama as just when it looked like the Glory would go on with things and get a second, it was in fact the visitors who snatched a second goal through the ever reliable Ashleigh Sykes. A minute later Perth had won a penalty and up stepped Australia international Kate Gill to take the shot. Chantel Jones stood strong and pulled off a good save to keep United in the lead which was duly doubled a minute later as Sykes grabbed her Grand Final brace and secured the title for Canberra. Canberra did miss a penalty in stoppage time with Mackenzie Arnold saving Grace Gill's shot but it was already all over by that stage.[12]

2015–16 season

Reigning champions Canberra United have signed up 5 new players for the 2015–16 season. These include Mexican international Veronica Perez, New Zealand forward Emma Kete, Emma Checker, Jenna McCormick and rookie Nickoletta Flannery. Veronica Perez is the first Mexican international to play in the W-League. Emma Kete is also returning to the club after previously have won the W-League title in its 4th season. Meanwhile, Nickoletta Flannery is a local Canberra product who has been in tremendous form. Goalkeeper Lydia Williams is back in the squad, returning from a knee injury that put her out of action last season.[13] Canberra United’s leading goalscorer of all time, Michelle Heyman also signed on for a 6th successive year with the club.[14]

Michelle Heyman

Colours and badge

The primary club colour of Canberra United is green, chosen principally since it did not clash with the other seven clubs in the inaugural competition. They are the second elite sporting team from the city to wear a green jersey after National Rugby League club, Canberra Raiders. This has led to some cross-promotion between the two 'green machine' teams.[15] The Canberra United badge depicts the flagpole of Parliament House, a symbol of Canberra.

Stadium

Canberra play their home matches at McKellar Park, more formally known as Belconnen Soccer Centre, a purpose built football ground in north Canberra. Since 2009, Canberra have played occasional home matches at Deakin Stadium, a newly completed football ground in central Canberra. United also have the potential to play significant matches at the 25,011 capacity Canberra Stadium. A match involving Canberra United was played at the ground in 2009, although it was officially a home game for Canberra's opponents, Central Coast Mariners. The match was a curtain-raiser to the Mariners' A-League fixture.

Supporters

Canberra United had the highest attendance in the W-League in the inaugural season with an average crowd of 1029. Their first home match attracted a crowd of 1637 against Central Coast Mariners (9 November 2008). The largest attendance to watch a Westfield W-League match at McKellar Park was 2512 for the Grand Final against Brisbane Roar (28 January 2012).

Current squad

Correct as of 30 October 2016[16]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 Australia GK Trudy Burke
2 Japan DF Yukari Kinga
4 Australia DF Clare Hunt
5 Australia DF Jenna McCormick
7 Australia DF Ellie Brush (Co-captain)
8 Australia MF Hayley Raso
9 United States FW Jasmyne Spencer
10 Australia MF Grace Maher
11 Australia FW Michelle Heyman (Co-captain)
No. Position Player
12 Australia DF Hannah Brewer
13 United States MF Celeste Boureille
14 Australia MF Ashleigh Sykes
15 Australia DF Emma Checker
16 Australia MF Karly Roestbakken
17 Australia MF Laura Hughes
19 Australia FW Nickoletta Flannery
20 Australia GK Georgia Boric
22 United States FW Stephanie Ochs

Club officials

Position Name
Chairperson Australia Kate Lundy
Chief Executive Officer Australia Heather Reid
Head Coach Australia Raeanne Dower
Assistant Coach Australia Njegosh Popovich

Sponsors

Season Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor Secondary sponsors
2008 Hummel CFMEU Capital Tourism

ActewAGL

2008–09
2010 The Tradies
2011 Rock Development Group
2015–2016 UMBRO University of Canberra

Broadcasting

Since the inaugural season in 2008, the national public television network, ABC, broadcast one match a week per team. In November 2014, ABC announced a decision to cease broadcast of the league at the end of the 2014 season as part of widespread budget cuts.[17] Ahead of the 2015–16 season, it was announced that pay-TV network Fox Sports would televise one W-League match a week.[18] ABC also rejoined the broadcasting arrangement ahead of the 2015–16 season, being entitled to air one live match of the round in conjunction with Fox Sports.[19]

Honours

Records

Academy

The Canberra United Academy has been set up to represent the Capital Football High Performance Program, aligned with the FFA national technical strategy, and catering for players from the ACT and the surrounding region.[2] The programs have teams for male players from 10–19 and for female players from 11–17. In 2016, the Men's U-19 team joins the NPL Capital Football competition.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "W-League to debut in October". Fox Sports. 2008-07-28. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
  2. 1 2 "Academy". Capital Football. Retrieved 9 Feb 2016.
  3. ↑ "Canberra United appoint Chair and Head Coach". Capital Football. Archived from the original on October 9, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-29.
  4. ↑ Sherwood, M (2008-07-28). "Canberras best players on national stage". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 2008-08-04. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  5. ↑ Smith, P (2009-01-10). "Canberra into Westfield W-League final". A-League.com.au. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  6. ↑ Sherwood, M (2009-06-29). "Junna up for United challenge". Retrieved 2009-08-08.
  7. ↑ Gottaas, C (2009-08-27). "Munoz joins coaching ranks for 2009 season". Canberra United. Retrieved 2009-08-28.
  8. ↑ Gibbs, Russ (15 August 2013). "Liesbeth Migchelsen Appointed Head Coach". Football Federation Australia. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  9. ↑ Gibbs, Russ (15 August 2013). "Raeanne Dower appointed United Assistant Coach". Football Federation Australia. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  10. ↑ Gaskin, Lee (December 07, 2014) "W-League: Canberra United storms into W-League finals with a 2–1 win against Perth Glory". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 2014-12-22.
  11. ↑ Gaskin, Lee (December 13, 2014) "W-League: Canberra United in the W-League grand final". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 2014-12-22.
  12. ↑ AAP (December 21, 2014) "W-League: Canberra United produces stunning 3–1 win over favourites Perth Glory to win grand final decider at Perth Oval". abc.net.au. Retrieved 2014-12-22.
  13. ↑ http://www.w-league.com.au/article/canberra-united-unveil-new-signings-ahead-of-201516-w-league-season/1rucemjpog5ps1ppfuzrodzbpv
  14. ↑ http://www.canberraunited.com.au/article/united-welcomes-back-heyman/7o9ee9xeja6d12cvwzhr7fh5h
  15. ↑ Pollack, B (2008-11-07). "Original Green Machine Showing Support for Canberra United". Canberra United. Retrieved 2009-10-04.
  16. ↑ "Canberra United Squad for 2016/17". Canberra United FC. 4 October 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
  17. ↑ "ABC TV cut broadcast of 2015/16 Westfield W-League". w-league.com.au. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
  18. ↑ "W -League games to be played as A-League curtain-raiser and broadcast live on Fox Sports". couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  19. ↑ "W-League returns to ABC TV in partnership with FFA and Fox Sports". ABC News. 15 September 2015.
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