Calder United have made their sixth, seventh and eighth signings of the pre-season, with former WPL trio Rachel Binning, Aliesha Newman and Tijen Hussein all joining for their inaugural NPLW campaign.
Calder have continued their active start to the transfer window, having already secured the signatures of five players, including Vict0ry W-League’s Cindy Lay, Jess Pitts and Enza Barilla as well as former Bundoora United players Rachel Alonso and Jessica Au.
The immensely talented Binning is the first defender to sign on with the club, and will link up with long time mentor Ian Williamson, having previously spent three years at senior level with Casey Comets.
She’s since developed into one of the best young centre-backs in the competition, and believes Calder has the means to help take her game to the next level.
“Moving to Calder United was the best opportunity for me to further develop as a player, and to get to the next level,” Binning said.
“The coaching staff and club are very professional and I look forward to learning and developing over the season.
“There is a high quality standard of players here who I believe will enable me to reach my full potential. I am really looking forward to the season ahead.”
The athletically gifted Newman was a key component to Boroondara Eagles’ success in 2015, playing a large role down the left flank for the ladder leaders.
She netted an impressive eight goals from the wing, while also spending time as a left back for Shaun Ontong’s league and cup double winning side.
Location played a role in the move to Calder for Newman, but she admitted that the professionalism on offer at the club was something that swayed her to move.
“The move to Calder United was due to both it’s location in the fact it was closest to me, but also because of the quality of girls,” Newman said.
“Coming from Booroondara last season where the quality was high, I wanted to move to a club with similar if not better quality of players. The club and coaching staff are all very professional.”
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Hussein joins after a years sabbatical from the top-flight, playing with State League 1 side Cairnlea FC; the side she captained to a 10th placed finish in the 2013 WPL season.
The forward then made the move to South Melbourne, where she scored seven goals in 2015 and featured in their successful WPL Grand Final triumph.
She welcomed the move back to the top flight, and was full of praise for the set-up at Calder.
“I have made the move to Calder United SC as I wanted to play at the highest level after a year in State League 1,” she said.
“The facilities are great and coaching staff have a great level of experience that I believe will help lift my game to another level. I can’t wait to get started.”
Coach Mark Torcaso was pleased to have secured the services of the trio and believes their experience in the top flight will serve his side well next season.
“If you look at the girls, not only do they have experience in the WPL, but two of them have also played in a Grand Final,” Torcaso said.
“Aliesha [Newman] did it with Boroondara last year, and Tijen [Hussein] with South in 2014. She’s eager to prove herself at the top [after a season in SL1].
“Rachel [Binning] is someone I rate very highly, she’s an athlete. Seeing some of the things her and Aliesha can do on the pitch, you wouldn’t believe.
“Those girls all bring good top-flight experience to the side, something I was keen on doing when building this squad.”