Former Eastern Lions player makes W-League

FORMER EASTERN LIONS PLAYER MAKES W-LEAGUE
Fifteen year old right back Lia Muldeary, made her W League debut for Melbourne City against Newcastle Jets in November last year, she commented that it was an incredible feeling walking out onto AAMI Park. A fantastic achievement which all started as a seven year old at Eastern Lions!
Lia started at EL playing in the boys under nine team, soccer was her sport of choice because it was played on a Sunday. Saturday was taken up with Japanese School (Lia’s mum Chiho is Japanese). Lia was always kicking a ball around at home and was enjoying the game so decided it was time to join a club, luckily she chose our club!
Lia remained at EL for four years always playing in the boy’s team, and at the end of her last season with the Lions Lia completed a Skill Acquisition Program from October-January and hasn’t looked back.
The last four years Lia has been based at Darebin playing with the FFV team (once known as the Skillaroos) competing in the under 18 Girls and Seniors WNPL competition. During this time Lia attended The National Titles which were held at Coffs Harbour for three years and then last year at the AIS in Canberra it was from here that Lia was selected for the junior Matildas training camp.
During Lia’s time with NTC she also received a call to be a train on at Melbourne City, she trained with them all W-league pre-season and was later offered a contract. Lia said that, “Everyone there has been so welcoming and I’ve gained a lot of experience over the past five months”.
This type of achievement doesn’t come without a lot of hard work, Lia trains five mornings a week from 8.00 am and arrives at school after 10.00 am every morning. Lia said her school Carey Grammar are supportive of her sporting commitments but she does still have to make up her missed classes outside of hours.
Her ambition is to play for the Matildas in a world cup. She obviously follows Melbourne City where she has learnt so much playing alongside world class players such as Jess Fishlock and her hero Steph Catley who plays left back.
Apart from soccer Lia follows Essendon in the AFL, she also enjoys spending time with her friends as well as all types of music especially alternative and her favourite foods are Japanese and Pasta.
Lia is still only fifteen and has already achieved something others can only dream about, we wish Lia all the very best for the 2018 season and for a very long and successful sporting career.
Go Lia!!