Two days on from Canberra United’s semi final appearance and the club has enjoyed a final training session for the season.
Head Coach Vicki Linton spoke with media following the session, to reflect on the season that was.
“I think every single player can hold their head up high even though they’re disappointed by the scoreline and by being knocked out. I’m just really proud of how we conducted ourselves, how we played and just of the season as a whole.
“In the past Canberra has always been amongst the finals series so being back is an achievement in itself, and to do that with such a young squad is really outstanding.
“If we look at the success stories of this year, we had seven players make their Westfield W-League debut, we had Michelle Heyman coming back from retirement and having a record-breaking season. She had her 100th game for Canberra United and took the Westfield W-League goal scoring record back, had 10 goals in a season which is phenomenal.
“We had Kendall Fletcher come back from an ACL injury at 36, and still be an outstanding player. We had Clare Hunt return from injury and be able to get back on the park, we had Nicki Flannery and Grace Maher returning to the club and sharing their 50th Westfield W-League cap together, (Chantel) Jonesy coming back and getting a game and doing really well.
“The Westfield W-League has been going for 13 years and first time all female technical staff, so I’m really proud of that. All those guys, the technical staff, it’s their first year in the Westfield W-League and a whole female crew so I think as a club we’re really proud of that as well.
“I can’t say enough about what the Canberra supporters are like, they are sensational. To have a crowd away from home, for a semi final, that is louder and more prominent than the home team is sensational. They supported us so well on Monday but they’ve supported us all season. The comments that I have received, they’re just so proud of what we’ve done and I think that says a lot.
“My first year here, the first thing was just trying to create a culture and create something that we can build on and I feel like we’ve been able to do that.”
