Tara Murray
Western United’s first female signing Alana Cerne was as surprised as anyone that she would be the club’s first A-League Women’s player announced.
The 19-year-old, who is still making her name for herself, was given the honour of being the first player for the club.
For Cerne, she wasn’t even sure she would get a contract at all.
“Firstly I was hoping maybe a scholarship of something,” she said. “I wasn’t even expecting a full contract to be honest, so when they came to me and said we want to sign you as our first payer, initially I was just going to ask them why, why me?
“I’m very grateful for that opportunity and it’s a big thing.”
Cerne has been on United’s radar for a couple of years. She’s been part of the United development squad which has trained once a week in preparation for the move into the A-League W.
She said the program had given her a taste of what to expect and opened up her eyes and made her realise she wanted to be part of the first squad.
For Cerne soccer has always been the dream.
“I started playing when I was six or seven years old with a couple of friends,” she said.
“I played for Fawkner for I think eight or nine years.
“Once the NPL [National Premier League] got introduced for women, I went to Heidelberg and had one year there and we made the finals. I played reserves or under-18s.
“I moved to the state team NTIC team for a year and have been with Calder United ever since.
“It has definitely been the dream… now it has come true, I can’t believe it to be honest.”
The move to Calder United has been one that has opened several opportunities for Cerne. She originally hesitated when coach and now Western United coach Mark Torcaso asked her to come across.
“I think I was16 at the time,” she said. “They said to me we want you to come down with the senior girls but we can’t guarantee you are going to be playing, it was more of a train on.
“At 16-years-old I thought I can’t be not playing and I want to develop. I was about to say no coach when the under-19s coach at the time said we would love to have you in the 19s and I said of course.
“Calder is the place to be for women’s football in the NPL, a strong club and big legacy of winning things. The girls are really tight.”
This year has been Cerne’s first full season in the senior side after two years with COVID-19. She has got a first hand experience about the culture and legacy that is in place at Calder.
Calder recently won their fifth straight Nike F.C Cup title, while the club is sitting on top of the NPLW ladder with two rounds remaining.
“It is so easy, not the winning perspective, because everyone is so close and everyone has the same goals, everyone wants everyone to do well,” Cerne said.
“It has been big big couple of weeks especially with Calder, the Nike Cup and a few more games in the season.
“To think this chapter is almost over and a new one with Western it has come pretty quick to be honest.
Cerne will finish off the NPLW season before focusing on the A-League season which starts in November.
She’s hoping to be part of that team on day one.
“I want to hopefully be playing and showing that I’m good enough to be at that level,” she said.
“I’m probably going to be one of the younger girls so I have a bit to prove than all the older girls
“Especially with being the first women to sign for United, now I have to show people from outside the club I belong in that team and can start at the team even at my age, be the player to step up to help the club be successful.”
