Canberra United’s playing roster is nearing completion following the signing of dual cricket and football international Ellyse Perry for the 2009 season which kicks off against the Brisbane Roar next weekend at Ballymore Stadium.
Canberra United-s playing roster is nearing completion following the signing of dual cricket and football international Ellyse Perry for the 2009 season which kicks off against the Brisbane Roar next weekend at Ballymore Stadium.
With eleven Matilda-s caps to her name after debuting against Hong Kong in an Olympic Qualifying match in 2007, the defender will join Canberra United for eight of the ten regular season matches as Perry juggles her cricket and football duties.
The cricketing all-rounder will divide her time between the New South Wales Breakers in the Women-s National Cricket League which begins in late October and Canberra United in the Westfield W-League.
The 18 year old is thrilled to be signed by Canberra United as the club looks to better its 2008 Grand Final appearance.
“I saw a really exciting opportunity to come [to Canberra] and play some football and hopefully contribute to the side as well so I-m really looking forward to the season,” Perry said this morning from the Matildas training camp at the AIS.
“With the club having made the Grand Final last year, it-s definitely the goal again this year but having said that the competition is extremely tight which is a great feature of the Westfield W-League.”
“The club would love to make the final again and I would love to be involved.”
Arguably one of the biggest names in women-s sport in Australia, Perry has dismissed any pressure of being a high profile signing instead excited about the prospect of a summer of football.
“The club has such a fantastic environment and everyone contributes so I certainly don-t feel any pressure instead I-m really looking forward to getting out on the paddock with everyone and play some great football,” Perry said.
“I-m fortuitous that there are only two clashes [between cricket and football] in the regular season so from that point of view it-s really exciting that I-ll be available for the majority of games.
“I probably didn-t get that chance last season so it-s great that I-m available more often this season.”
The late signing is already looking forward to the Grand Final rematch in Round One against the Brisbane Roar at Ballymore Stadium on Saturday, 3rd October to be broadcast live on ABC 1 from 3:00pm.
“It-s pretty exciting that the league kicks off in just over a week, I know everyone is looking forward to it and we-ve all prepared well so we-re all excited about the Grand Final rematch in the first round up in Brisbane.”
