Aussies winning overseas Aussies winning overseas

2012 saw the first mass exodus of players overseas to the US and European leagues.  At one point in time there were up to 20 Australian footballers actively plying their trade in countries like the US, England, Sweden, Germany and Denmark.

And they were not just playing bit part roles either.

Several players were key components in their side.  Kyah Simon led the line for the WPSL Elite side Boston Breakers with Matildas’ teammate Tameka Butt also displaying her attacking prowess.  While Emily van Egmond helped the Western New York Flash to the WPSL Elite title including converting a penalty in the final shoot out.

In the USL W-League, Brooke Spence’s class and leadership saw her captain the Colorado Rapids while Servet Uzunlar was nominated several times for the league Team of the Week with her scintillating performances, as the Pali Blues made their way to the final only to be defeated by Katrina Gorry’s Ottawa Fury.  Gorry was so influential she made the Central Conference Team of the Year and was one of three nominees for the USL W-League Rookie of the Year.

In Europe Lisa De Vanna assisted Swedish side Linkopings to third in the competitive Damallsvenskan while in Denmark Aivi Luik and Michelle Heyman played their part in helping their side Brøndby to the championship against Leena Khamis, Elise Kellond-Knight and Kim Carroll’s Fortuna Hjørring.

In Germany Sally Shipard was instrumental in Bayer Leverkusen avoiding the drop in the Frauen Bundesliga while across the pond Tanya Oxtoby (Doncaster Belles), Emily Gielnik (Liverpool Ladies), Collette McCallum (Lincoln Ladies) and Laura  Alleway (Lincoln Ladies) were all regular contributors to their FA Women’s Super League side.