Two players from our SA Women's NPL have been given contracts with Adelaide United's Westfield W-League squad for the remainder of the season.
Ella Tonkin, who has been part of the Football SA NTC program since she was 11 years old becomes an Adelaide United player at just 17.
Ella, who is also joint captain of the NTC group with Zoe Tolland, has told Football SA that her time in the NTC program has been invaluable.
The frequency and intensity of the training in the NTC program has made the transition smoother. The NTC program has definitely helped me develop a stronger work ethic and that quality has been immensely important at Adelaide United.
Football SA NTC coach, Michele Lastella, who is also an assistant coach at Adelaide United Women, told Football SA Ella deserves her call up.
I'm not surprised at all. She's been training well with Adelaide United Women since the beginning of the W-League pre-season along with five other NTC players, and in that time she has played numerous internal games and has proven that she can take her game to the next level.
She is the type of player that professionally goes about her business, always willing to work hard and improve herself and be there for her teammates.
It's extremely beneficial for our NTC players to be training with professional players, and when they come back to our program it is valuable for the rest of the playing group.
Victoria Mansueto, who slotted home six goals in nineteen games for Adelaide Comets in 2019, has also earned a call up to Ivan Karlovic's side.
A statement on the Adelaide United website read,
FSA (Football SA) NTC product, Ella Tonkin, and Adelaide Comets striker, Victoria Mansueto, have signed for Ivan Karlović’s side for the remainder of the Westfield W-League season.
Adelaide United coach Ivan Karlovic said
“It’s disappointing to lose Mary (Fowler), but it’s fantastic that we have been able to promote two quality South Australian talents in Ella and Victoria and we’re excited to see how they can complement our squad in the final games of the season.”
Football SA would like to congratulate both Ella and Victoria and wish them all the best with Adelaide United.