Woden Valley youngsters Grace Field and Sally Rojahn have been officially drafted into the Canberra United squad for the start of Westfield W-League Season Three following some exceptional displays in training.
Woden Valley youngsters Grace Field and Sally Rojahn have been officially drafted into the Canberra United squad for the start of Westfield W-League Season Three following some exceptional displays in training.
Both Field and Rojahn played a part in Canberra-s 3-0 win over the Illawarra Stingrays at Hawker Football Centre last month and, with news that potential US international recruit Natasha Kai was unable to sign for the club due to last minute obligations, Ray Junna had no hesitation in placing his faith in the duo.
As a silky-skilled forward Grace Field had an impressive 2009 campaign, which culminated in the youngster being awarded the ACT Player of the Year, with 2010 promising much of the same. However, a knee injury in pre-season meant that Field missed the Project Coordination Federation Cup Final loss to Belwest Foxes and it seemed fated that she would miss the Grand Final re-match as well after falling ill towards the tail-end of the year.
Fortunately for both herself and Woden, Field recovered to make an appearance as an impact substitute playing fifty minutes of the final which Woden won 5-3 showcasing her class with some superb touches of the ball in compact areas. As well as being utilised as a speedy defender for United, Field can also play in midfield.
At the same time 2010 was a breakthrough year for young defender Sally Rojahn as her mature performances in the centre of the Woden Valley defence not only belied her tender years but ensured participation with Canberra United in the train-on squad.
Rojahn possesses all the attributes you could look for in a central-defensive stopper—great positioning, timing in the tackle, good vision, excellent distribution and awareness. That a player so young could keep fellow Canberra United squad members Cian Maciejewski and Caitlin Munoz fairly quiet when Woden faced Belwest Foxes and Belconnen United respectively, hints at a future full of potential in the Westfield W-League.
Rojahn was a mainstay at the heart of the Woden team for the majority of the 2010 season, playing in both the pre-season Project Coordination Federation Cup Final loss to the Foxes as well as the revenge Grand Final win in which she was, once again, simply outstanding, only just beaten to the Julie Murray Medal for best on ground.
Whilst not expecting much game-time in 2010/11 both Field and Rojahn should gain invaluable experience as they look forward to a lengthy Westfield W-League career.
