National Premier Leagues Women’s Queensland star Meaghan McElligott has secured herself a Westfield W-League contract with Canberra United following a stellar trial period with Heather Garriock’s squad.
The Moreton Bay Jets striker, who scored 50 goals in an unbelievable local season with both the Jets and Gold Coast United, has been training with Canberra since the beginning of pre-season and said it is a dream come true to become a permanent part of the squad.
“I’m very excited to get this opportunity in the Westfield W-League after a successful NPLW season,” McElligott said.
“I’m looking forward to working and playing in a stronger league and developing into an even better player along the way.”
After moving to the Gold Coast to study Sport Development at Griffith University, McElligott took time off from her studies in 2017 to play for the Washington spirit in the Women’s Premier Soccer League, who trained with the Spirit’s NWSL side as well.
“That was a very professional environment over there in the U.S,” McElligott said.
“I learnt a lot over there and it was overall a very good experience.”
The 23-year old blitzed the NPLW Queensland in 2018, scoring 31 times in 17 matches for Gold Coast United before a mid-season switch to the Jets saw her light up the league with her new squad to the tune of 19 goals in nine outings.
Over the last two years McElligott trained with the Brisbane Roar squad during both pre-season and throughout the Westfield W-League season but was never granted an opportunity and dropped out in March to focus on NPLW.
“It is just a really exciting opportunity for me, and I think Heather approached me after seeing what I had done during this season,” she said.
“It is nice to be taken seriously by a club, and I want to enjoy my football and see where it can take me from here.”
Canberra United Head Coach Heather Garriock said she was drawn to McElligott’s impressive goalscoring record and that the Queenslander had impressed during her trial period.
“Meg was a revelation this year in the NPLW and an outstanding example of the local talent that exists at club level around the country,” she said.
“Her record speaks for itself and we are delighted to have her at Canberra United.”
“We have the NPLW Queensland top goal scorer and the NPLW Capital Football top goal scorer (Aoife Colvill) both in the squad this year so we have plenty of talent up front.
“After seeing what she can do this year and now in training it’s a wonder she hasn’t been picked up already, and at just 23 Meg brings plenty of experience to the Canberra United family.”
Another triallist Rosie Galea was awarded a scholarship contract after a stellar trial period as well, to cap off a strong year which included an NPLW NSW title with Macarthur Rams.
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Current Canberra Squad |
Goalkeepers: Shamiran KHAMIS, Melissa MAIZELS
Defenders: Taren KING, Natasha PRIOR
Midfielders: Refiloe JANE, Karly ROESTBAKKEN, Rosie Galea
Forwards: Nicki FLANNERY, Rhoda MULAUDZI, Nikola ORGILL, Meaghan MCELLIGOTT
