The fifth edition of the women’s Charity Shield was held at Melrose Synthetic on the weekend. This year’s edition pitted 2024 Federation Cup winners Belconnen United against Canberra Olympic, who won the three other available 2024 trophies.
The chosen charity to receive donations is once again Sock it to Sarcoma. Sarcomas are a group of rare aggressive bone and soft tissue cancers that strike children and young people for no apparent reason.
Two largely recognisable squads stepped onto the field, with head coaches Scott Conlon (Blue Devils) and Frank Cachia (Canberra Olympic) again in charge in 2025. Here is a rundown of the changes we noted from last season:
Belconnen United
- Matilde Laurel-Tighe (Gungahlin United) takes over in goals following the interstate departure of Monique Pinkiewicz
- striker Alex Martens also joins from Gungahlin United
- midfielder Anneke Corry joins from the Bulls Academy
- defender Stefi Lejins returns from an injury-enforced absence in 2024
- Reilly Yuen, Sofia Palywoda, and Alyse Jensen will not be pulling on the boots in support of the Blue Devils’ NPLW cause this season.
Canberra Olympic
- Jaya Bowman, Janet King, and Tianah Miro are tied up with Canberra United duties for several weeks to come
- centre-back Corinne Denton joins from Gungahlin United
- midfielder Alyse Jensen joins from the Blue Devils
- attacker Tatum Mazis joins from Canberra Croatia
- attacker Olivia Gurney returns to Olympic after a break from football
- Michaela Thornton has departed for Canberra Croatia
- Nicole Jalocha was spotted in the crowd but not listed in the squad
- ex-Canberra United Academy defender Tayla Hampson joins after a year interstate.
Played in warm conditions with occasional showers in the first half, the Blue Devils had the brighter start. Left midfielder and captain Lauren Preston and her winger Hattie Cram were industrious down their flank, with Olympic hampered for a time when Sienna Birnie rolled an ankle, managing to carry on after treatment.
The Olympic centre-back duo of Denton and Elke Aitolu looked solid but it was wide where the Blue Devils threat was evident. Katrina Peric crunched Cram in the lead-up to an attacking move, with Cram having to leave the field. The threat didn’t subside, however, with the arrival of fellow speedster Keira Bobbin on Belconnen’s left wing.
Momentum shifted slightly to equilibrium as the half wore on, and the teams entered the sheds scoreless.
An Alyssa Di Campli delivery for a Bobbin header that narrowly missed Jelena Josipovic’s goal was a sign of things to come in the second half, as Olympic started to ring in the changes before the hour mark. A two-goal spree to the Blue Devils in three minutes came just as the substitutes were getting the feel of the game.
Having successfully battled to win the ball, Bronte Pyke burst down the right flank and delivered a back post ball to Lisa Cary, who calmly side-footed for the first goal. Not long after the recommencement, Bobbin’s pace down the left flank again troubled the Olympic wide defence, with the ball laid on a platter for Di Campli’s late run into the box.
Just like that, the Blue Devils were two goals up. Olympic worked hard to get into the game through the likes of Tehya Aspland, Jane Vanzino, and Maddy Whittall, with some young legs (Liana Alves, Alyse Jensen) entering the fray to add energy, but the Blue Devils held firm.
Izzy Hindmarsh wrapped up the season’s first trophy for Belconnen, with a marvellous strike from 25 yards blasting through keeper Josipovic’s gloves and into the top right corner. New signing Anneke Corry was notably tireless and impactful throughout the contest.
The teams play each other again soon, facing each other in Round 1 of the NPL campaign. It will be fascinating to see what adjustments are made.
Click here for the Capital Football match report, including team lineups
Belconnen United 3 (Lisa Cary 60′, Alyssa Di Campli 62′, Izzy Hindmarsh 76′)
Canberra Olympic 0
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