Sydney FC W-League Head Coach Alen Stajcic has announced Teresa Polias as his captain for the Westfield W-League 2014 season, having also confirmed he will continue as Head Coach of the Sky Blues after his spell in charge of the Matildas.
Polias, who has represented the Sky Blues since 2010 making 50 appearances, will lead out Sydney FC for their first game of the Westfield W-League season on September 14, against Adelaide United at Lambert Park (kick off 4pm), taking over from Danielle Brogan who is playing in England with Notts County.
The combative midfielder was delighted to receive the armband and has her sights set on regaining the Championship after finishing at the semi-final stage during the 2013/14 season.
“It’s an honour to pull on the captain’s armband for Sydney FC,” Polias said.
“Sydney FC is such a big club and an opportunity like this doesn’t come around too often. I had nothing but great experiences with the Sky Blues in the three years I’ve been here and I’m looking forward to continuing that and leading the girls out for the 2014 season.
“Staj has shown a lot of faith by giving me this leadership opportunity and nothing would mean more than captaining the girls to another Championship success.”
Stajcic heralded Polias’ tenacity and determination and believes he has chosen a captain with a willingness to lead and be successful.
“Teresa is a fantastic ambassador for our Club, country and women’s football in general,” he said.
“You will go a long way to find someone who would say a bad word about her. Her work ethic, commitment, tenacity and consistency are the highest out of any player I have coached.
“Over the last three years at Sydney FC her selfless performances have been a cornerstone of our attacking play and in this time she has twice been voted Players’ Player of the Year which typifies her consistency and respect from the rest of the playing group,” he continued.
“Teresa’s leadership will be based I am sure, on the principles of ‘do as I do’, emphasising her commitment, drive and determination to be successful.”
A two time Premiership and Championship winning coach with Sydney FC, Stajcic will guide the Sky Blues in what will be his seventh season at the reins, having taken the girls to a third place finish in the World Club Championships last season as well as a second place finish on the Westfield W-League ladder to ensure they reached the semi-finals.
Stajcic most recently guided the Westfield Matildas in their successful 2014 AFC Asian Cup in Vietnam where the national squad finished as runners up for the tournament.
On re-signing with the Sky Blues he said he was pleased to be back and has set his sights on again attaining silverware with Sydney FC.
“I’m looking forward to the new season,” he said.
“It looks like the league will be tight and strong again, it will be a tough competition but as usual we hope we’re up there with the front runners competing for the title.
“We’ve been a successful team for a long time and we want to continue being a positive team and one which wants to attack, score goals, win lots of games and challenge for the title. This has and always will be my main goal.”
The Sky Blues will announce the remainder of their Westfield W-League squad in the coming days.
