Image: Adrian Cheng/Calder
NPLW outfits Bayside United and Calder United have added internationals Sarah Wieck and Emma Meckfessel respectively to their playing roster for the upcoming season.
German winger Wieck joins Bayside United having completed a move to Australia late last year.
Her journey through football began at the age of eight, where she featured in the youth set up for German club Spfr. Hochwald Thalfang.
She last featured for Rheinlandliga side TuS Issel 1952, for whom she won the Rhineland Cup with in the 2015 season, which earned the side entry into the elite cup competiton in Germany, the DFB-Pokal.
Listed as a right midfielder, United will be hoping to get the best out of the German to fill the void left by the departed winger Ash Lefevre, who completed a move to Alamein FC earlier this month.
Bayside also confirmed the re-signing of young duo Lily O’Brien and Ella Douglass.
O’Brien featured for Sandringham SC in the WPL as a 16-year-old under Deb Nichols in 2015 and featured in the U18’s for Bayside in their inaugural NPLW campaign.
Douglass earned promotion into the senior line-up midway through last season and earned a competitive debut in 4-2 Team App Cup Quarter Finals loss to Alamein FC.
American defender Meckfessel scored on her competitive debut for Calder United in their 7-1 Community Shield drubbing of Heidelberg United.
The San Francisco native most recently turned out for Louisiana State University, having previously also been in the college system with the City College of San Francisco.
A leader on the park, Meckfessel captained her school at junior and senior level, while also featuring for semi-professional outfit North Bay Wave, the former home of Box Hill United midfielder Kristina Hall.
Meckfessel joins compatriot Kasha Meyer as Calder’s allotted international contingent for the upcoming season.
“Meckfessel contacted us last year, she was one that we were looking at before Kasha [Meyer] came over. She came out this year and we’ve been pretty impressed with her. She’s probably one of the most fittest and athletic players I’ve come across, especially with her build being six foot. She can play a number of positions and in any role. That’s what we’re looking forward to most with her,” Calder coach Mark Torcaso said.