Tara Murray
Western United has revealed a strong squad for the National Premier League 2 season, which includes nine A-League contracted players.
The senior academy will represent United in the NPL2 competition and the under-21 NPL2 competition, with 34 players named in the final squad.
Western United academy director Anthony Frost the crop of talent at the club is ready to display its collective quality on the pitch throughout the season.
“We’re extremely excited to be starting a new season in a new league after securing promotion last year,” he said.
“The players and staff have been working incredibly hard to improve both individually and collectively, raising the standard of the program yet again.
“I’ve got full faith that we’re going to see some fantastic football and the platform for our young players to show their qualities.”
Not only will the players hope to establish themselves in NPL2 across under-23’s and under-21’s competitions, they will also be looking to continue their development and earn opportunities in John Aloisi’s A-League squad.
Frost said he is confident that the players will be able to continue the early success of Western United’s Academy’s in promoting youth players onto professional contracts.
“As we’ve seen from previous seasons, players have been rewarded with first team involvement due to the consistency and quality of their performances in the NPL competition, and expect this season to follow suit,” he said.
“I’m sure the boys will enjoy having the support of everyone involved at the club and put their best foot forward.”
Dylan Pierias, Ben Collins, Adisu Bayew, Noah Botic and Rhys Bozinovski are among United’s A-League players named in the academy squad.
A number of stars from the academy have returned for the 2023 season with the likes of Noah Holmes, Jordan Lauton, Oliver Lavale and Thomas Alisandratos all remaining in the squad.
The squad also features a plethora of players that have represented their countries at youth level, including Michael Vonja and Mayen Mayen who are currently on international duty, and Charbel Shamoon who will head to the under-20 Asian Cup with Iraq next month.
United’s season in NPL 2 Victoria kicked off on Sunday at home against Eastern Lions. It was United’s first game at this level having earned promotion from NPL3 from last season.
United came away with the 1-0 win.
