Canberra United has announced the appointment of current Matildas Assistant Coach Heather Garriock as Head Coach for the W-League.

Garriock becomes the sixth coach for the two time W-League champions and takes the reigns following the departure of Rae Dower last month.

“I am obviously humbled by the opportunity but I’m looking forward to coming to one of the best clubs in the Westfield W-League in terms of facilities, resources, personnel and structure,” said Garriock.

“That was the main drawcard, and it is probably the most elite team in the W-League, the structure and resources, it is first class.”

34 year old Garriock is a Matildas legend having made 130 appearances for Australia – second only to Cheryl Salisbury (151) – including 3 FIFA Women's World Cups, 3 Asian Cups and 2 Olympics.

In the W-League Garriock made 29 appearances and scoring for 8 goals for Sydney FC, including captaining the club to the Season 2 2009 Premiership and Championship double.  After having her first child, the midfielder made the switch to the Western Sydney Wanderers making 8 appearances and scoring 2 goals before hanging up the boots.

After retirement, Garriock has become part of the latest group of former Matildas to transition into coaching.

Garriock is currently completing her A-Licence coaching qualifications while coaching Sydney University in the NSW WNPL and in 2014 was named the league's Coach of the Year.  Garriock has been Assistant Coach for the Young Matildas and in 2017 was appointed Assistant Coach to the Matildas.

“When I think of Canberra United family is what comes to mind,” she said. “I think of fans, the team, the players, everything reverts back to family and engaging in that, so it’s very exciting.”

“For me family is the most important thing, I am a Mum with two kids and a husband. Family was a big drawcard.”

The tenth season of the W-League is rumoured to commence in late October 2017.