After two years with the Melbourne Victory Westfield W-League side, Canberra local Grace Maher will head back to the capital to represent Canberra United in the upcoming season.
Playing out her junior football years with Majura FC, Maher made her first of 46 Westfield W-League appearances with Canberra United in 2014.
At just 15-years-old, Maher was the youngest player to sign with a club in the women’s top national football league, making her debut against Adelaide United on 19 October 2014.
After four seasons and 28 appearances with the Canberra side, Maher said she was happy to be back in the capital after two years with the Melbourne Victory.
“Given the timing of the crazy global pandemic that is going on and where I am at in my life and in my football career, there is no place that I would rather be than in Canberra,” she said.
“I am just super excited about the prospect of playing in front of the home fans again and playing for the club that I grew up watching.
“The fans, members, past players, staff, current players and volunteers know how special Canberra is so I just can’t wait to be a part of it again and play at beautiful McKellar Park.”
Canberra United head coach Vicki Linton said she was happy to have hit the ground running for her first season with the club, signing Maher who she has worked with previously.
“I had the chance to work with Grace with the Junior Matildas a few years ago so I am really pleased to sign her for Canberra United in my first year at the club,” she said.
“She was always a mature smart player. I worked with her when she was 15 and 16 and she demonstrated that back then.
“She is now a few years older and more experiences so she will certainly bring that.”
As for the rest of her squad, Linton kept her cards close to her chest in the lead up to season 13.
“Like other clubs, it’s a bit difficult to comment on at the moment but we are just trying to build it up and as we do the announcements will come,” she said.
“With the state of the world, the country and the league, it gives us an opportunity to build a localised league this year.
“One of the strengths of Canberra in the past is its core group of local players.”
Details are yet to be confirmed on the commencement of the 2020 W-League season, which usually begins during November.
