With their outfield stocks looking more than healthy ahead of their debut NPLW season, Calder United have secured the services of goalkeeping pair Bethany Mason-Jones and Shanel Camilleri.
The keeping duo have worked together in the past, with the pair both on the books of South Melbourne WFC in 2014, where both players enjoyed stints in the first team.
Mason-Jones links up with her former Bundoora United mentor Mark Torcaso, the coach she’s worked with since the midway point of the 2014 season, after making the move from Lakeside Stadium.
The golden glove winner for 2015 – having kept the most clean sheets in the league – has made a name for herself as a capable shot-stopper and a dependable set of hands between the sticks.
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The 18-year-old joins the club off the back of a stellar competition captaining the Victorian Futsal Under 19’s in the national competition earlier this month.
She began her Victorian top flight career in the NTC system before making her way to South Melbourne, where she found first team opportunities hard to come, due to a strong run of form from Camilleri.
19-year-old Camilleri comes off a season away from the sport after a knee injury wrote off her 2015, meaning she’ll be eased into the new season gently by Calder.
The youngster earned a starting position for South Melbourne WFC midway through the 2014 season and helped her side to a minor premiership and both a League and Cup Final.
Coach Mark Torcaso was pleased to have obtained the services of two quality young keepers, who he believes have the right mentality to push each other along.
“It is great for our club to secure two fantastic goalkeepers of this calibre,” he said.
“Their work ethic and application is of the highest standard and they will both challenge each other.”
Mason-Jones admits the lure of working with her goalkeeping mentor in Torcaso was a massive reason for her signing with Calder.
“I’m really happy to be following Torcs [Mark Torcaso] across to Calder,” Mason-Jones said.
“He has a wealth of experience as a player and a coach, and the way he coaches matches the way I want to train. I’m still young and have lots to learn, but I’m hoping if I keep working with him it will get me to that next level I want to be at in my footballing career.
“He was the main reason behind my move and I’m excited to keep working with him.”
The shot-stopper is looking forward to the clubs inaugural NPLW season and has spoken positively about the feeling within the camp.
“The 2016 season can’t come soon enough,” she said.
“There was a really great vibe at the club right from the get go and with the potential we have – if the girls keep working hard at training – we could be in for a successful first season.
“The competition is going to be really strong this year and will grossly help the development of the women’s game in Victoria.”
The pair become the 12th and 13th players respectively to join the club for 2016.