Western United Women

Western United Women joined the A-League Women in the 2022-23 season, representing the rapidly growing communities of Melbourne’s western suburbs — and their story is one that deserves to be told honestly. The club’s entry into the women’s game was part of a broader strategy to establish Western United as a genuine football club serving one of Australia’s fastest-developing regions. Playing in the distinctive green and black, Western United Women quickly built a connection with local football communities and provided a pathway for female footballers who had previously lacked a direct route to the national competition. Under head coach Kat Smith, the first female head coach in the club’s history, the team showed promising development across their two completed seasons before the broader financial challenges facing the parent club led to their participation being suspended. Despite the uncertainty, the Western United Women programme demonstrated that women’s football has a strong foundation in Melbourne’s west — and that foundation deserves a future.

Team Overview

History

Western United Women entered the A-League Women in the 2022-23 season alongside Central Coast Mariners Women and Wellington Phoenix Women as part of the competition’s expansion from nine to twelve teams. The club’s first season was about establishing foundations, building squad chemistry, and competing at the national level for the first time. Like any expansion team, the early results were mixed, but the experience gained was invaluable in shaping the program’s direction.

The 2023-24 season saw further development under the coaching staff, with the squad showing improved cohesion and competitiveness. Kat Smith’s appointment as head coach was a notable moment for the club, making her the first female head coach at Western United. Smith, who had previously coached at Western Sydney Wanderers, brought a fresh perspective and a commitment to developing young players that aligned with the club’s community-focused ethos.

However, the broader financial difficulties engulfing Western United Football Club cast a shadow over the women’s program. In 2025, the club was placed into conditional hibernation after a Federal Court wind-up order, with Football Australia subsequently removing Western United’s A-League licence. The women’s team did not participate in the 2025-26 A-League Women season, reducing the competition from twelve to eleven teams. The future of the Western United Women program remains tied to the resolution of the parent club’s financial situation, leaving players, staff, and supporters hopeful that the club can eventually return to the competition.

Key Players

• Chloe Lincoln - A creative midfielder whose vision, passing ability, and set-piece delivery provided a vital attacking spark for Western United Women during their time in the A-League Women.

• Grace Maher - An experienced Matildas squad member whose quality on the ball, leadership, and international pedigree brought credibility and class to the Western United Women midfield.

• Rasamee Phonsongkham - A versatile and technically skilled attacker whose ability to play across the front line and create chances from various positions made her an important figure in Western United’s attacking play.

• Melissa Barbieri - A veteran goalkeeper with decades of experience at the highest level of Australian women’s football, Barbieri’s presence brought invaluable professionalism, mentorship, and shot-stopping quality to the Western United squad.

Stadium

Western United HQ, the club’s training and match-day facility in Melbourne’s western suburbs, served as the home ground during their time in the A-League Women. The venue has a modest capacity of approximately 3,000, providing an intimate and community-oriented setting. While lacking the scale of larger venues, Western United HQ offered a dedicated space for the women’s team to develop their identity and connect with local supporters. Match days carried a grassroots energy that reflected the club’s commitment to accessible football — and those who were there will remember it fondly.

NC — Staff sports writer, australiafootball.com