Western United’s women’s side might only be in their first season, but the side has started to get a dedicated fan base. With the team playing in the A-League Women’s grand final this Sunday, many fans are planning to head to Sydney to watch the side in action and hopefully claim the championship. Star Weekly caught up with some of the dedicated fans ahead of the big game.
Western Core
Brooke Muscat has been a member of Western United since day one.
Part of the men’s active supporter group, Muscat was one of those who put her hand up to help run the club’s women’s active supporter group when the club finally got a women’s side this season.
Muscat and the group have had a season full of highs so far and they’re hoping a championship will cap it off this Sunday.
“A group of us run it, a little group of about eight of us run it behind the scenes and helped create it” she said.
“I’m a supporter of the men’s team and an inaugural member. With the commitment factor someone had to step up with the women’s team and we’ve been supporting them each and every week.
“The boys do a lot of work with the men’s side, so we’re sharing the load and each of the parties support each other as much as possible.”
Muscat has made several interstate trips this season to watch United, including being at the club’s semi final win in Sydney.
She said it was an incredible experience.
“It was an awesome experience and how the game transpired was incredible to watch.
“Seeing all that hard work and the tight knit community they’ve put together was such a great experience.
“To watch it live, there were only about 10 of us, it was really cool to have played a little part in it.”
While many people have been surprised by United’s success in its first season, Muscat said she didn’t think that it was such a big surprise with so much belief in the team.
“I’m so proud of them.”
Muscat has already booked her flights, accommodation and tickets for the grand final.
She’s hoping that there will be a heap of other United fans making the trip.
“There’s been a fair bit of interest in a few of the Western United supporter groups,” she said.
“The club is looking to put a bus on if there’s enough support. There should be a decent amount of people there.
“We want people to come and join us in the active supporter bay.”
Muscat said the only disappointing aspect was that many supporters will miss out on coming to the match, with it being held in Sydney after Football Australia decided both A-League grand finals would be held in the Harbour City.
The Woollam family
Western United fans Jenni Woollam and her family from Hoppers Crossing are flying up to Sydney to watch the game and support their team.
“As soon as we heard we booked flights up to Sydney,” Ms Woollam said. “We were just in Adelaide for the mens [game].”
“My husband and two of my kids are coming… [we] leave at 6am and get back at 10pm… and there’s about 12 [friends] going as well.”
Ms Woollam said the family have been following Western United for a few years now and said it’s been a really exciting season.
Western United men’s active group
Western United men’s active support are ramping up to get out and show their support for the women’s team in the upcoming A-League Women’s final.
One of the men’s active support leaders Mason Ahumada said he’s enjoyed watching the women’s success throughout their first season.
“It’s been very good,” he said.
“Because I’ve been such a big part of the men’s support, I’ve been able to see a lot of the women come up through Calder United, who they merged [formed a partnership] with last season.
“Just seeing the passion they’ve instilled in the first season has been great to see.”
Now, he’s preparing to head up to Sydney to show support during the final.
“I’m very excited, who would’ve thought that we’d come this far,” he said.
“Throughout the season a lot of the players have showed a lot of heart and they keep continuing to prove all the doubters wrong, and here we are with the biggest game next weekend.
“To lift the trophy, and following the success of the men’s last season, to lift two trophies, would be awesome.”
He said many members of the men’s support will be joining on the Sydney trip
Mr Ahumada said it’s normal for the club’s men and women’s support groups to all come together and support each other.
“We all chat as a collective and try our best to support each other…The club try and instil that. It’s mostly just us trying to have a good outcome for the club,” he said.
“I’m bringing some of the boys with me, so there’ll be a lot of hometown support at the game, so we’re all gonna be there in numbers for sure.
“The club try to instil that. It’s mostly just us trying to have a good outcome for the club.”
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