Western unveil Mark Torcaso as inaugural ALW head coach

Western United have built off the groundswell of excitement created by the announcement of Liberty A-League expansion by revealing Mark Torcaso would lead the club into its inaugural ALW campaign in 2022-23.

Torcaso was unveiled as Western head coach on Thursday, June 30 alongside Amanda Stella who was revealed as the club’s women’s football manager.

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Torcaso has been in charge of Western’s women’s development squad since August of 2021, a role he took on after garnering significant coaching experience in the NPLW – most notably at Calder United, where he was head coach for six years prior to his first Western role.

Before Calder United, Torcaso coached Bundoora United’s senior women’s side and Whittlesea Zebras U16’s. Torcaso was previously a goalkeeper coach at Melbourne Victory in the ALW, helping the club secure the 2014 Championship.

Under his watch, Calder won the NPLW league/championship double on two occasions – in 2016 and 2019.

Western have secured his services for the first two season’s of the club’s ALW venture.

“For me it’s something I’ve been passionate about for many years. I’ve only ever worked in the women’s game, so to be involved and for the faith to be put in me to do this – I feel pretty proud, to be honest,” Torcaso said.

“I’m really excited to get the first women’s team on the park.  It was always a dream to work professionally in an environment giving every girl an opportunity. Stage by stage for me – it’s not what’s next but making every effort to be successful in every stage.”

Stella, meanwhile, takes on the role of women’s football manager at the club after working as Western’s women’s football integration manager, playing an instrumental role in developing the club’s partnership with NPLW outfit Calder United.

Stella expressed her excitement about stepping into the new role.

“I’m just extremely grateful that I’ve been given the opportunity to make a difference for so many girls, to work on putting a team out there that the Green and Black family is going to be proud of,” Stella said.

“The club has grown so much in just three or four years – to have this happening already, it’s a mighty achievement and shows the commitment to female football from everyone at the club.”