With the WPL season only three games in, FC Bulleen Lions have secured the prized signature of Boroondara forward Racheal Quigley. The former Adelaide Lady Red has had a long distinguished career at national level, as she most recently starred Melbourne Victory in the W League with eight goals.
After an impressive second season with Adelaide which saw her score five goals in 10 games, she was named Adelaide United’s 2009–10 W-League Most Valuable Player. Quigley scored the W-League goal of the year in the 2011–2012 season with an acrobatic scissor kick and was also a foundation player for Kansas City Shock in the WPSL in the USA.
The addition of Quigley, who proved her worth with a hat-trick in the cup against Surf Coast FC, will be a boost to the already loaded stocks of Bulleen, and Craig Stockdale of Stocky’s Scribbles caught up with ‘Quigs’ as she told The Corner Flag exactly why she decided to move to Bulleen.
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Racheal, congratulations on the move, what were the reasons behind the move at this stage of the season?
I very much enjoyed playing for Boroondara and am very grateful for the opportunity they supported me with last season but unfortunately this season I started with an Injury which led to missing a big portion of pre-season. I will be completely honest and admit throughout my rehab I struggled a lot with motivation and this played a part. Therefore, I decided I wanted to try something different this season and approached Bulleen. Knowing the players, professionalism and the competitiveness at Bulleen helped with the decision to move on to their club.
Do you feel like there was any bad timing, given the news about Fil is leaving too? In retrospect, do you have any qualms about the decision now?
I was unaware of Fil’s resignation at the time of my decision. The club has a great amount of supportive coaches around who will be looking after the girls in the meantime and I believe that whoever fills the position will do very well with the players they have. I believe every decision I make will have new opportunities therefore do not have any regrets.
Both Boroondara and Bulleen look like title contenders, having now trained at your new club, what separates the two in your opinion?
I believe both teams are constantly trying to play a good brand of possession based football; both have quality players all over the park. The biggest difference in my opinion is that Bulleen are a well-established NPL club on the boys and youth sides which will continue to flow over to the women’s game.
Are you looking forward to your first clash against Boroondara?
I look forward to every game that I play!
How did you get in touch with Bobby about the move?
Firstly I went to meet up with Alex Natoli after her training session one night but I had rocked up before they finished. I watched a small portion of their training and instantly noticed the high intensity that the whole team was training at. So from that first encounter I was attracted to the structure of Bobby’s training. A week or so later I asked a few Victory players about their thoughts on the training sessions with Bulleen and every single one was a positive comment. After a lot of thought, I was then the one to reach out to Bobby.
You’ve moved from what seems like one family club, to another in the same mould, how have the girls made you feel welcome so far.
The girls have been great! I knew the majority of the girls previously but even the few I didn’t know introduced themselves straight away. I feel I will fit in very well with the girls and their team banter very easily.
Did you know most of the girls at FC Bulleen?
Yeah, a good bunch I played with at Victory. Many others I know through friends or even just as opponents from last year. Knowing the majority of the team definitely makes it easier to gel with them this season.
How has the training with the NTC helped you in your recovery with injury?
NTC is constantly monitored by physio’s through PhysioHealth, therefore if any assistance is needed there is always someone there willing to help. I am more than happy to travel out to NTC trainings weekly not only as a bit of extra training but to be playing with these upcoming stars who have so much talent and no doubt will be hard competitors in this year’s competition. Not to mention being out there makes me feel young again! *laughs*
After a massive year with Melbourne Victory in 2014, what does 2015 hold for Quigs?
2015 holds massive potential, but all depending on how much effort I put into it. Moving forward I want to have a solid WPL season to lead straight into what I hope to be and even better season in the W-league. Who knows what possibilities will open up after that?
With Joe Montemurro moving to City, how do you see this impacting Victory in 2015?
Obviously it’s always going to be a challenge when a quality coach like Joe moves on in his career. I trust Victory will find a suitable coach to keep moving forward with their success. In my opinion there is big shoes to fill, I really enjoyed my season with Victory and Joe’s style of football.
At this stage of your career, what is important for you to achieve in the game?
My personal battle has always been to get to my peak fitness, unfortunately I pick up bad timing injuries that set me back. This year I am focusing on doing what’s right for my body. I have a lot of support here in Melbourne. Already I have programs from my Physio (Sharbs) and my new Bulleen teammate Cassie Dimovski to help get me in the best physical condition setting up for W-league. I am very privileged to be working alongside Dimovski, a very qualified personal trainer and a great friend. Then of course for obvious reasons the most important part of my game is to get the ball in the back of the net.
Tell us about your start in women’s football? Where, when and with who?
I started playing football when I was 4-5 with the boys and wasn’t introduced to women’s football until the age 11. I am originally from Adelaide and decided to try out for our state under 12 team (13 years ago). I was successful in that and played in my first national competition. From the beginning of my women’s football experience I gained my best friend Cassie Tsoumbris, who I grew up with and played in every state competition together. We also played together for Adelaide United in the 2013-2014 W-league season.
And finally, what is your fondest memory from playing football?
My fondest memory is and always has been when I traveled to Malaysia with the Young Matildas for Asian Qualifiers in 2008. Standing up for the national anthem and playing for my country. There is no other feeling like it. It’s addictive. Everything I am and have been working towards is to be part of the national squad again.