A-League Women: Rebekah Scott, Courtnee Vine and Tameka Yallop among World Cup stars to play this season
The revamped A-League Women’s league is set to play host to a large number of international players and experienced homegrown talent - check out eight of the best.
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A 12-team competition, 22 games, tough competition and chance to play back “home” has convinced New Zealand national Rebekah Stott to rejoin Melbourne City for this A-Leagues’ Women’s season.
Stott, who plays for the Football Ferns, is one of eight players who starred for their country at the FIFA Women’s World Cup set to play in the ALW this season.
The 30-year-old defender was part of City’s first women’s team - winning four championships and two premierships before making the move to Brighton & Hove Albion in 2020/21.
Stott described her World Cup experience as “crazy”.
“That opening game was a night I’ll never forget,” Stott said.
“It is probably one of my favourite memories of playing football. Obviously we wanted to get out of the group (stage) so that was a bit disappointing, but I think we inspired the nation, which was one of our main goals as well.”
Stott, who had to step away from the sport in 2021 to battle Hodgkin’s lymphoma, said coming back to the A-Leagues and rejoining City was an easy decision.
“Being home is one of the biggest draw cards and obviously I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else other than Melbourne City, I’ve been there for a number of seasons now and I’m excited to be back,” Stott said.
“I just love the way City plays. I think we play a beautiful brand of football. I love training and it’s just the place where I enjoy my football the most.”
A few things have changed in the short time Stott was away - including the addition of more teams and a season that now features 22 games.
“It’s more sustainable, players can come here and it can be the only season they play in a year,” Stott said.
“I think that is huge because obviously in the past it’s been you come here and then you go and play in a different league for the off-season.
“So with pre-season the competition is about nine months now, it’s actually something players can think about doing for a whole year.”
With such a large number of international players and experienced homegrown talent set to star in the A-Leagues this season Stott said she anticipated I highly competitive season.
“Obviously there have been a few teams that kind of have been down the bottom end of the table but I think this season we’ll see a more competitive competition,” Stott said.
She also hopes that World Cup fever continues and there is a surge in the crowd numbers at games.
Particularly City’s first clash of the season which will be in Wellington.
THE EIGHT WORLD CUP STARS SET TO PLAY IN THE A-LEAGUES’ WOMEN’S COMPETITION THIS SEASON
Cortnee Vine
The Sydney FC star became a household name when she slotted the winning penalty into the net in the World Cup quarterfinal play off with France – sending Australia into their first World Cup semi-final.
Vine, just 25, turned down offers to play overseas to stay with her beloved Sky Blues team – who are looking to win three championships in as many years.
She played 21 games for the Sydney outfit last season scoring seven goals and playing a direct part in eight others.
One of the quickest players in the league – Vine is sure to give fans plenty to watch this season.
Tameka Yallop
Back at Brisbane Roar after stints at West Ham and Brann, Yallop is sure to inject a new level of experience into the fairly young squad. The 32-year-old was part of Roar from 2008-2018, playing a crucial role in their championship winning season in 2008/09.
A hamstring injury picked up in the World Cup warm-up game against France limited the number of minutes the midfielder could play for the Matildas last month – she still scored a goal in the penalty shootout with France though.
Milly Clegg
She is just 17-years-old but Milly Clegg is already making a mark on the A-Leagues and international football. She was the golden boot winner in her breakout season with Wellington Phoenix last year – scoring four goals and was also in the running for the Dolan Warren Award. She is known for her pace, skill, technique, vision and all around natural talent. Clegg was in New Zealand’s 23-woman World Cup squad but didn’t get any minutes this tournament.
Rebekah Stott
New Zealand national team player Rebekah Stott will return to the A-Leagues this season, rejoining Melbourne City. Stott, who battled Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2021, left City to play for Brighton & Hove Albion in the English Women’s Super League. The defender was part of City’s first women’s team and has won four championships and two premierships in her time with the club. With 93 international appearances for the Football Ferns, including playing in each of their FIFA Women’s World Cup games, Stott is sure to bring plenty of experience and a sense of calm to City’s backline.
Grace Jale
Grace Jale scored three goals and registered seven assists in her 17 matches for Canberra United last season and is ready to have an even bigger season with Perth. The 24-year-old striker played in two of the Football Ferns FIFA Women’s World Cup clashes – bringing her international Caps to 19. She will be an exciting addition to Glory’s line-up this season – especially with her aerial skills.
Jaclyn Sawicki
Rising star Jaclyn Sawicki will be back at Western United FC for a second season. Sawicki played in all three World Cup matches for the Philippines. The midfielder was Western United’s inaugural captain – leading them to the grand final last year.
Elizabeth Anton
New Zealand national Elizabeth Anton will be back in the Perth Glory colours again this season. The 25-year-old defender was named in the Football Ferns 23-woman World Cup squad but wasn’t called in off the bench during the tournament. She did play at the She Believes Cup and was also part of the Tokyo Olympics team. The defender has previously played for the national team at the under-17 and under-20 FIFA Women’s World Cups. Anton played 18 matches for Glory last season and has made a name for herself as a commanding and composed defender.
Michaela Foster
A breakout season with Wellington Phoenix last year saw Michaela Foster named in New Zealand’s 23-player FIFA Women’s World Cup squad – but a quad injury meant she was stuck on the bench for the tournament. The exciting left-back knocked back offers from other A-League clubs to re-sign with Phoenix for another season. She played 18 games for the club last season with one goal and three assists. Foster has a deadly ability in set pieces.
SLOW PACE OF CHANGE FRUSTRATES A-LEAGUE WOMENS VETERAN
Newcastle Jets midfielder Cassidy Davis has seen plenty of positive changes during her 10 seasons in the A-Leagues’ women’s competition – but she says there is one big step that needs to happen in order to keep the game going – turn the league professional.
As it stands players in the women’s competition are paid for the season, plus a four week pre-season.
Under the current players’ agreement women are paid a minimum of $25,000 for the 23/24 season – this is due to increase by 50 per cent over the next three seasons.
It is a far cry from the men’s competition where the average salary is $150,000.
The men don’t have to juggle other jobs in the off-season – in fact their off-season is much shorter as they have a four month pre-season compared to the four weeks given to the women’s competition.
Davis signed her first contract with the Jets in the 2013/14 season, she was just 18 years old.
This season will be her 11th in the A-Leagues and with the Jets.
While Davis has seen plenty of changes during her time, she said considering the competition started in 2008 – the growth has been very slow.
“You go back a few years and there were still only 14 games and then 12 games, it took a long time to improve over my first six years of playing,” Davis said.
“My first season I got $50 a week, which only just covered the petrol at the time so it was really tough.
“We played at smaller stadiums and were not on TV – there are so many things that have changed but there’s still so much more to change.”
Currently Davis is studying a Bachelor of Primary Education, working as a teacher’s aide and in the office at the Newcastle Jets – all to make ends meet during their long off-season.
Davis said it was becoming increasingly difficult for players to juggle careers, study and their football lives.
“This season is 22 rounds so it’s that bit harder for players that are working full time or may need to cut back work for training purposes or to make sure their body’s recovering and they are getting enough sleep, eating the right foods and doing all the things that go in to preparing for training and games,” Davis said.
“It would be nice to see a full-time season sooner rather than later, so we can keep growing the game.”
The Newcastle local loves to watch the Knights’ rugby league women’s team play when she gets a spare weekend.
Davis said she hoped the FIFA Women’s World Cup spurred hundreds of new fans to come and watch their local teams play.
“It is exciting to see how much the league can grow, we need supporters to get behind us,” Davis said.
“I watched the Knights play and they had 19,000 people there. I dream of having that many people at a Jets game. We really love it when we get a good crowd.”
The Jets finished 10th last year, just one stop from the bottom, with just four wins from their 18 games.
Davis is confident the new look side, which includes a number of players from overseas, will deliver a different result this year.
Among the new signings are American duo Izzy Nino (goalkeeper) and defender Maggie Shaw. Swiss international Lorena Baumann will also bolster the Jets’ backline.
“I’m confident in the squad and what Gary van Egmond (coach) and the rest of the staff have put together,” Davis said.
“They obviously do a lot of research into recruitment and I have no doubt that we have a great team.”
Jets will kick off their A-Leagues’ Womens season against Central Coast Mariners on October 14.
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Originally published as A-League Women: Rebekah Scott, Courtnee Vine and Tameka Yallop among World Cup stars to play this season
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