Canberra United FC
Encyclopedia
Canberra United Football Club is an Australia
n football (soccer)
club that competes in the W-League
, the national women's competition. Based in Canberra
, the club was formed in 2008 for the league's inaugural season. Canberra is the only team in the league that is not affiliated to a men's A-League
club, although a team in the National Youth League from Canberra also competes (being the AIS). In their first season Canberra were runners-up, defeated by Queensland in the final.
as coach for the inaugural season, and ACT Senator
Kate Lundy
as club chair. 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, and progressed to the inaugural final, where they were defeated by Queensland Roar.
club, Canberra Raiders
. This has led to some cross-promotion between the two 'green machine' teams.
The Canberra United badge depicts the flagpole of Parliament House
, a symbol of Canberra.
, 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.
Canberra United had the highest attendance in the W-League in the inaugural season with an average crowd of 1029.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n football (soccer)
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
club that competes in the W-League
W-League (Australia)
The W-League is the preeminent women's semi-professional football league in Australia. Established in 2008, it is composed of eight teams - seven of them are affiliated with seven of the Australian clubs currently in the A-League, with the eighth team based in Canberra...
, the national women's competition. Based in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
, the club was formed in 2008 for the league's inaugural season. Canberra is the only team in the league that is not affiliated to a men's A-League
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
club, although a team in the National Youth League from Canberra also competes (being the AIS). In their first season Canberra were runners-up, defeated by Queensland in the final.
W-League 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 HookerRobbie Hooker
Robert Hooker is a former Australian football player and current manager. He is currently the assistant manager of the Australia national association football team.-Playing career:...
as coach for the inaugural season, and ACT Senator
Australian Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Australia, the lower house being the House of Representatives. Senators are popularly elected under a system of proportional representation. Senators are elected for a term that is usually six years; after a double dissolution, however,...
Kate Lundy
Kate Lundy
Kate Alexandra Lundy is a member of the Australian Senate, representing the Australian Capital Territory.Born in Sydney, Lundy dropped out of Year 11 without telling her parents and went to work on a construction site...
as club chair. United also announced its first key signing in local Canberran and Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams
Lydia Williams
Lydia Williams is an Australian football player, who currently plays for Canberra United FC in the Australian W-League.-Early life:...
. Hooker made a number of key signings in the first registration window, also securing Caitlin Munoz
Caitlin Munoz
Caitlin Munoz is an Australian football player, who currently plays for Canberra United FC in the Australian W-League....
, Amy Chapman
Amy Chapman
Amy Chapman is an Australian football player and a member of the Matildas, appearing for the national team on 18 occasions between 2007 and 2008.-External links:*...
, Grace Gill-McGrath
Grace Gill-McGrath
Grace Gill-McGrath is an Australian football player, who currently plays for Canberra United FC in the Australian W-League.-References:...
, Hayley Crawford
Hayley Crawford
Hayley Crawford is an Australian football player, who currently plays for Newcastle Jets in the Australian W-League.She has represented Australia at the 2002 FIFA World Under 19 Women's Championship.-External links:*...
, Rhian Davies
Rhian Davies
Rhian Davies is an Australian football player, who currently plays for Canberra United FC in the Australian W-League.-National duties:...
, Thea Slatyer
Thea Slatyer
Thea Slatyer is an Australian female football player and member of the Australia women's national football team.-Club career:Slatyer plays for Newcastle Jets in the Australian W-League.-International career:...
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
Sasha McDonnell
Sasha McDonnell is an Australian football player, who plays for the Brisbane Roar FC in the Australian W-League.She has represented Australia at the 2006 FIFA World Under 20 Women's Championship.-References:...
and Kara Mowbray
Kara Mowbray
Kara Mowbray is an Australian football player currently playing for Australian W-League team Newcastle Jets.- References :...
from Queensland. The final squad presented significant strength on paper, boasting eight full internationals and a further four Young Matildas
Australia women's national under-20 football team
The Australian women's national under-20 football team, more commonly known as the Young Matildas, represents Australia in international women's Under 20 football competition.-Current squad:GoalkeepersDefendersMidfieldersForwards...
.
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, and progressed to the inaugural final, where they were defeated by Queensland Roar.
W-League 2009 season
There are a number of changes at Canberra for their second season, most notably the departure of Robbie Hooker and appointment of Ray Junna as coach. 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.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 LeagueNational Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
club, Canberra Raiders
Canberra Raiders
The Canberra Raiders are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the national capital city of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. They have competed in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership since 1982...
. This has led to some cross-promotion between the two 'green machine' teams.
The Canberra United badge depicts the flagpole of Parliament House
Parliament House, Canberra
Parliament House is the meeting facility of the Parliament of Australia located in Canberra, the capital of Australia. The building was designed by Mitchell/Giurgola Architects and opened on 1988 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia...
, a symbol of Canberra.
Stadium
Canberra play their home matches at McKellar Park, more formally known as Belconnen Soccer CentreBelconnen Soccer Centre
Belconnen Soccer Centre, also known as McKellar Soccer Centre and McKellar Park, is a stadium in the Canberra suburb of McKellar, in Australia. The playing surface is rectangular in shape and is used almost exclusively for football matches...
, 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
Canberra Stadium
Canberra Stadium is a facility primarily used for rugby league and rugby union games, located adjacent to the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, the capital of Australia...
. 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
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
fixture.
Supporters
The Canberra United fans are known collectively as 'Capital Punishment', and are based on the western hill of McKellar Park. Supporters groups within these numbers include "Capital Hill", "Green Leprechauns" and "The Binbag Army"Canberra United had the highest attendance in the W-League in the inaugural season with an average crowd of 1029.
Current squad
Correct as of 11 Nov 2011.Sponsors
| Season | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor | Secondary sponsors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Hummel Hummel Hummel may refer to:people:* Arvid David Hummel , Swedish entomologist and notary* Arthur W. Hummel, Jr. , U.S. diplomat, ambassador to China from 1981 to 1985* Arthur W. Hummel, Sr... |
CFMEU Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union is Australia's main trade union in construction, forestry and furnishing products, mining and energy production.... |
Capital Tourism ActewAGL ActewAGL ActewAGL is Australia's first multi-utility to offer electricity, natural gas, water and wastewater services in a single organisation. At the time of its formation it was the only multi-utility of its kind in Australia.... |
| 2008-09 | |||
| 2010 | The Tradies | ||
| 2011 | Rock Development Group |
Records
- Highest win: 4-0 v Adelaide United (4 December 2010)
- Highest loss: 0-3 v Brisbane Roar (3 October 2009)
See also
- Association football in the Australian Capital TerritoryAssociation football in the Australian Capital TerritoryAssociation football in the ACT is predominantly amateur with local competitions organised by Capital Football involving teams from within the ACT and from the region of New South Wales...
- Canberra A-League BidCanberra A-League BidA-League4Canberra is the working name for a proposed Canberra-based A-League association football club.-History:A Canberra based consortium led by TransACT CEO Ivan Slavich is determined to apply for and receive a license to compete in the A-League, commencing in the 2010-11 season...