Sydney FC’s Championship winning Head Coach Ante Juric, Liberty A-League Captain Natalie Tobin and nine of the Sky Blues 2022 Premiership winning squad, including Matildas Princess Ibini, Mackenzie Hawkesby and Rachel Lowe, will return to defend their title in season 2022-23.
The Sky Blues have also recruited five Young Matildas who were part of Australia’s squad at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup last month, plus several other new faces.
Coach Juric is back for a sixth consecutive season having guided Sydney FC to each of the past five Grand Finals, winning one and securing two Premierships along the way.
Tobin will Captain the squad for a second year in her 10th season in Sky Blue and is joined by recent Matildas representative Ibini in her 8th season as the club returns to the new Allianz Stadium.
Sydney FC Player Of The Year Hawkesby and A-League Women’s Goal Of The Season Winner Lowe return for another season after last year’s heroics earned them call-ups to the Matildas squad to face Spain and Portugal in June.
Young Matildas Sarah Hunter and Charlie Rule are joined by their Under 20 World Cup team-mates defender Kirsty Fenton, midfielder Abbey Lemon and forward Jynaya Dos Santos.
Double Premiership winning and ever-present defender Charlotte Mclean returns for a third season in Sky Blue and is joined in defence by Perth Glory left back Deborah Anne De La Harpe.
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Goalkeeper Katie Offer will again challenge for the number one position while Junior Matildas’ Captain Shay Hollman, who won player of the tournament at the AFF U18 Women’s Championship, and fellow Junior Matilda Mary Stanic-Floody are promoted from scholarship to full time contracts.
Indiana Dos Stantos and Anika Stajcic, daughter of Sydney FC Hall Of Famer and former Women’s Head Coach Alen Stajcic, are new additions on scholarship contracts.
Head Coach Ante Juric is already happy with the balance of youth and experience.
“I’m delighted with the players we have signed so far and we’ll be adding some more quality in the coming weeks which I believe will give us a great chance at silverware again.
“We’ve managed to keep the core of our successful team from the past two seasons and are in talks with a number of others to return.
“The new players are fantastic additions and will bring more youth and exuberance to our play which I’m excited to see.”
Captain Natalie Tobin, who made her Sky Blue debut in the W-League Grand Final in 2013, is looking forward to another memorable year.
“I can’t believe this will be my 10th season at Sydney FC,” said the 25-year old.
“It’s been an incredible journey for me and the past few years in particular have been extremely special.
“We’ve had success and I’m thrilled to see the core of that group staying together this season.
“I’m also excited to welcome and watch our new additions in action.
“We’ve recruited some fantastic young players and it all bodes well for a really great year.”
Sydney FC expect to make further signing announcements in the build up to the season in mid-November with Liberty A-League Women’s fixtures likely to be revealed later this week.
Sydney FC’s Liberty A-League 2022-23 squad
Natalie Tobin
Princess Ibini
Mackenzie Hawkesby
Rachel Lowe
Charlotte McLean
Charlie Rule
Sarah Hunter
Deborah Anne De La Harpe
Kirsty Fenton
Abbey Lemon
Jynaya Dos Santos
Katie Offer
Shay Hollman
Mary Stanic-Floody
Indiana Dos Santos
Anika Stajcic
