Melbourne Victory has announced it will control Victory W-League “in-house”, ending a seven year partnership with Football Federation Victoria.
By assuming control of all management responsibilities, Victory will “see our women’s team operations streamlined and sit alongside the club’s Hyundai A-League, Foxtel National Youth League and PlayStation 4 National Premier League teams.”
The club also confirmed the return of 2013 Championship winning coach Dave Edmonson for the 2015/16 W-League campaign.
Chief Executive Ian Robson welcomed the move, along with Edmonson’s appointment.
“I would like to express our sincere thanks to Football Federation Victoria for our working relationship, the manner in which they have managed the team operations and also grown the identity of Melbourne Victory’s W-League team since 2008,” Robson said.
“The prominence of women’s football is growing all the time and we are thrilled to be able to bring the team under our care and help to further enhance the profile of the Melbourne Victory players and women’s football in general,”
“It is also wonderful to welcome Dave Edmondson back as head coach. Dave was at the helm for the successful W-League Championship campaign in 2013/14.
Victory has been put under the spotlight since the addition of Melbourne City to the competition, with five players already making the direct switch to their crosstown rivals, and last season’s starting centre-back Emma Checker moving to Canberra United.
While no signing announcement has yet been made, the squad will be revealed next week, with a strong contingent of Sportsmart Women’s Premier League players expected to feature.
One player confirmed by her parent club to have joined on loan – albeit not announced yet by Victory – is Christine Nairn, returning from Washington Spirit after a strong 2014 campaign in navy blue.