Western United announced as Liberty A-League’s latest expansion side 

The Liberty A-League will have an 11th side in 2022-23, with Western United today announcing their licence to join the competition has been granted from next season onwards. 

The news comes as Western’s men’s outfit prepares to compete in the Isuzu UTE A-League finals series beginning this weekend. It’s the third season of the club’s existence in the A-Leagues, with season four the first in which Western will compete on both fronts in the A-League Women’s and Men’s. 

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Western CEO Chris Pehlivanis says it’s exciting to see the club’s vision coming to fruition.

“There are a lot of people who have worked tirelessly to be ready for this moment,” Pehlivanis said in a club statement.

“We dream big for our people in the West and we want to unite the West through football. That is exactly what we’re doing by opening up opportunities for women to shine in an elite sporting environment at Western United.

“I’m so thrilled that this vision of ours is now finally coming to fruition. I’m so excited to see our girls representing Western United and witness all of the subsequent milestones that we will be able to celebrate.

“I can’t wait to see the girls on the pitch wearing the Green and Black, and representing Western United with pride.”

Western enter the league one season after the arrival of Wellington Phoenix, who became the league’s 10th team for the 2021-22 A-League Women’s campaign.

With Western’s two teams playing in the A-Leagues from next season, the club will be eligible to compete for the Club Championship.

Western chairman Jason Sourasis added: “This is a special day in the history of our club. This is one of those days that will stick out on the timeline when you look back 10, 20, 30 years from now,” he said.

“To be a truly equal, inclusive club and to represent all people in the West, it was a non-negotiable from the start that Western United needed to have a women’s team.

“For Western United to enter the league, just in time as the FIFA Women’s World Cup comes to Australia next year, is massive. Everyone at the club is excited about this next step in our journey and we are all committed to bringing success on the pitch with our women’s pathway.”

After announcing the club’s entrance into the 2022-23 Liberty A-League season, Western’s attention now turns to appointing coaching and football department staff, and putting together the squad set to usher the green and black into a new era.