Junna to continue as United Head Coach

Canberra United is pleased to announce that Ray Junna will continue as Head Coach of the club for Westfield W-League Season Three.

Canberra United is pleased to announce that Ray Junna will continue as Head Coach of the club for Westfield W-League Season Three.

Junna, who joined United as head coach at the start of last season, will have the chance to better the club-s semi-final showing as the new campaign gets underway. The move to secure Junna for a second term gives Canberra United the stability required to mount a serious push for the championship.

Last season saw United reach the semi-finals where their journey was ended by a 3-0 defeat to eventual champions Sydney FC, following on from a Grand Final appearance in Season One, but Junna was rewarded for an outstanding first season at the helm by being named joint ‘Coach of the Year- at the Westfield W-League awards ceremony in Sydney.

Blessed with exciting talents such as 2009 ‘Young Player of the Year- Ellyse Perry, Matildas- internationals and AFC Asian Cup winners Sally Shipard and Lydia Williams as well as goal-machine Caitlin Munoz, Season Three promises exciting times for the club.

Junna is looking forward to working with a strong United team once again. “Naturally I-m delighted to be returning as head coach of Canberra United for season three of the Westfield W-League,” Junna said.

“We-re hopeful of retaining the core of our squad for the new season and the chance to work alongside the players we had last season, plus the additional experience of Sally Shipard and Caitlin Munoz is an exciting challenge. With the players we have 2010 promises to be an exciting time for everyone associated with the club.”

Off the field the ACT Government, ActewAGL and The Tradies Club/CFMEU have confirmed their continued backing of the Canberra United brand by recommitting to sponsorship of the club, a move that helps reaffirm Canberra United-s place within the local community. Capital Football CEO, Heather Reid, said that the sponsorship renewal proved the club was doing the right things in the community.

“Its fantastic news that the ACT Government, ActewAGL and The Tradies Club/CFMEU continue their much appreciated sponsorship of Canberra United,” Reid said. “The commitment shown by these major groups is an indictment of the level of professionalism the club has shown, both on and off the field, in its two-year existence. Combined with the reappointment of Ray Junna, there is a stable platform on which to build for the forthcoming season and years to come.”