Article: Lachlan Roberts
Photo: Lachlan Roberts

When Emma Stanbury first arrived in Canberra for the 2019/20 Westfield W-League season, she was unsure of how she felt about the place. But nine months later, she is in love and doesn't want to be anywhere else. 

So when COVID-19 struck, she decided to opt-out of her contract with NSW NPLW side Bankstown City Lions and find a club in her new home town. 

"I have a good relationship with Heather Garriock and she has been a mentor of mine for quite a few years so I reached out to her," Stanbury shared. "She asked me what I wanted out of football. I have been around playing for 20 years and I have won championships, so I wanted a new challenge. 

"I have always enjoyed coaching so Heather told me of the opportunities at Tuggeranong, how they are a massive community-based club and how they look after their players. I see this as a chance for me to be a mentor and help the girls learn what it takes to be a winning side." 

Stanbury isn't the only player with Westfield W-League experience in the NPLW, with United teammates Jessie Rasschaert and Hayley Taylor-Young still in the local competition. There has also been an influx of former W-League players with the likes of Grace Field, Ash Sykes, and Nicole Begg returning to the competition. 

"I think if we can get more girls sticking around the Canberra competition, then it is only going to help the other girls grow and get better as players," Stanbury said. "I know from experience that when I am training with girls who are on a higher level, it pushes me and makes me want to be a better player.

"This W-League season is going to be very different than any other season so I see it as a great opportunity for girls that might not have had a chance before." 

Coach Michael Aldred said Stanbury's attributes have been a huge boost to the club. 

"If you look at it from a holistic perspective, I think that it is great for the competition that we can attract players of her calibre," Aldred said. "For Tuggeranong, any quality player we can attract is going to add to what we have got. From an individual perspective, having someone the girls can look up to and learn from is fantastic.  

"If they want to put in the hard work, there is a pathway for them."

Match Details |
NPLW Round 6
Tuggeranong United vs Woden Weston
Kick-off 4:50pm, 23 August 2020
Melrose Synthetic