By Ben Gilby
As the Azzurri women enter the final month of the regular NPLW WA season, young attacker Maja Archibald has been speaking about the challenges involved in facing all of the other sides in the top four in their remaining fixtures as the team bid to clinch a first ever league title.
“This next month is really important for all of us girls. We know the next couple of games aren’t going to be easy especially playing the top teams. We’re putting in all the preparations behind the scenes to put out some crucial performances coming up.
“Our focus is on ourselves as a team, sticking to playing our brand of football and taking each game as it comes. The squad is in great shape, both physically and mentally. We are all really determined and ready to give everything to finish the season strong, hopefully coming away with some silverware.
Going into the pointy end of the NPLW WA calendar, Perth stand seven points clear at the top of the ladder. For Archibald, who came into the squad at the start of the season, it has been a massively positive 2025, both in terms of confidence and achievements on and off the pitch.
“The season has been great so far. It’s been a really positive environment and the team has gelled so well on and off the pitch. I’ve never been part of a team like Perth SC, the culture, environment and team cohesion definitely sets us apart and it’s evident in our performances.
“Having the opportunity to play alongside some of the best talent in WA has been beneficial for me. The quality of each player in the squad has lifted my standards and fuelled myself to improve. Of course with having such a strong squad, there’s competition to earn your spot in the starting eleven. It hasn’t been easy coming into a squad with quality established players although the girls have created such a supportive and encouraging environment.
“Every player brings their own flair and quality to the pitch. The depth in our attack is a real strength. Each week we have a range of goal scorers which highlights how well our team attacks as a collective in the final third. As someone who is still new to the 10 role, they’ve taught me so much and given me the confidence and freedom to be creative and express myself on the pitch.”
Archibald began her footballing journey on the wing and in the number nine role at Fremantle City.
“They were my local club, and I moved up to play for the NPL boys for several years until I was 16 before I joined the women’s side at Fremantle and soon after made my debut for the first team.
“Following a season with the first team, I was invited to the NTC Challenge tournament in Canberra, which led to me joining the NTC program, where I remained until 2024. I spent three invaluable years at NTC, developing alongside players like Violet (Longmore), Hannah (Collins), and Louise (Tana) who are now my teammates at Perth SC.
“Playing with the boys at a young age gave me a strong foundation of skills and fundamentals while also toughening me up. Joining NTC introduced a whole new dimension to football that I had been searching for.
“NTC created a professional environment where I was surrounded by girls my age who shared the same goals and ambitions. We were exposed to every aspect of the game from tactical analysis in the video room to refining our technical abilities on the pitch. We also had access to strength and conditioning coaches who helped develop my athleticism, and physiotherapists who supported me through challenging injuries.
“On top of that working under such experienced and supportive coaching staff including Ben Anderton taught me invaluable lessons which I’ve carried into my football today. It’s a pathway I would highly recommend to young girls wanting to take football serious not only for the development opportunities but also for the chance to form lifelong friendships and connections.
“Recently, I’ve found myself enjoying the 10/8 position. I’d say I am a very versatile player as I’ve had experience in lots of positions especially at NTC. One of my traits is definitely my fitness and athleticism which helps my continuous desire and work rate on the pitch. I’m definitely more of an attacking minded player and am always looking to get into half spaces to open up the play going forward.”
Archibald’s time at the NTC introduced her to Tom Glavovic, now her head coach at the Azzurri. The youngster believes that his influence has been important in making her the player she is now.
“Tommy has been coaching me for a few years now, with both of us coming through NTC. He’s an incredibly passionate coach who brings out the best in his players by genuinely believing in us both individually and as a team.
“He is highly dedicated and he consistently goes above and beyond to help us grow as players, and that’s had a huge impact on my development, especially this season. Tom sets high standards for each of us, and for the team as a whole, which continues to push us to improve every session.”
That desire to improve has been so evident week after week in the NPLW WA this season, and with the Azzurri women on the cusp of exciting achievements, the next few weeks look to be captivating.