Opportunity. That’s why footballer Cannon Clough moved to Australia in 2019.
The American packed her bags and moved to Queensland to play soccer for Lions FC in the National Premier Leagues (NPL) women’s competition.
Last month, she signed a professional contract to join the Brisbane Roar and play in the A-League Women, Australia’s premier competition.
And the 25-year-old’s story is not unique: dozens of American and international actors have followed the same path.
“The NPL has had a huge opportunity to pass on players and really give that chance to those who haven’t been fortunate enough to get a full professional contract,” Clough said.
Most young female soccer players in the United States grow up dreaming of playing in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), one of the best soccer leagues in the world.
But it’s probably one of the hardest to break into.
There are only 10 teams, which means around 180-200 positions.
Each year, young aspiring players will finish their college careers and enter the NWSL draft, but only a few will be selected.
Those who don’t get a contract have few opportunities to play professionally in the United States.
Brisbane Roar pre-season training session. (ABC News: Jessica Stewart)
This is why leagues like the NPL in Australia are so tempting for international players to come and ply their trade.
“It’s gone really well at Lions FC, it’s just a super-professional set-up, so you really prepare yourself for that kind of opportunity (signing with the Brisbane Roar),” Clough said.
“I think the opportunities here are definitely greater.
“Back home there wasn’t as much of an NPL level league, there was a summer league between college seasons, and a lot of girls played there to stay in shape, to stay in shape.”
She said the US summer league was gradually starting to catch up with Australia’s second-tier competitions, which was a positive sign.
Australian football, a “launching pad” to other leagues
Clough is not the only American Brisbane Roar have signed for this year’s A-League season.
Connecticut-born Shea Connors, who also played for Lions FC in the NPL, has been recruited to the A-League club.
Shea Connors who played for Lions FC in the NPL has been recruited to the A-League club. (Provided)
Connors was one of the best strikers in the NPL, scoring 66 goals in 48 appearances for the Lions.
Clough and Connors have just led Lions FC to a third consecutive NPL title, beating Capalaba 3-0 last weekend.
Connors was named NPL Women’s Player of the Year on Saturday night.
Brisbane Roar coach Garrath McPherson said coaches and scouts, not just Australian ones, were watching the league closely for talent.
“The NPL Women’s has grown, it has become more professional and that has made the players better.
“There are players who now see this competition as a path to professional women’s football.
“It’s a viable route, the quality of the club environments they play in allows them to continue to develop.”
He said the competition and live streaming of each match allowed players to showcase their skills.
“It’s pretty easy to watch these games and see all these players on a regular basis and it’s really grown since its inception,” he said.
“I’m sure you have coaches from European and American clubs watching the (A-League) competition and looking for players and we’ve seen even from the Brisbane Roar a number of players from last year in the performances they’ve had in securing overseas contracts.
“It’s an opportunity for players like Shea and Cannon to continue to progress and use it as a launching pad.”
Clough hopes to one day land a contract in the NWSL in the United States.
“I would love to play a home season at some point, whether it’s, you know, in the near future or down the road.”
This season’s women’s NPL competition featured 37 international players, including 11 from New Zealand, nine from the United States and Canada and five from Japan.
Players raise awareness of Australian competitions overseas
News of the Australian experience travels around the world.
“A lot of girls have contacted me saying, ‘How can I get there? How can I come and play there? It looks like such a good experience and good football,’” Clough said.
One of these friends is Bella Habuda.
The 25-year-old Canadian came to Australia to play for Gold Coast United in this season’s NPL competition and has just signed with Western Sydney Wanderers in the A-League.
“I was in Europe, my season was coming to an end, I was looking for my next opportunity and I had a friend who had played in Australia in the last NPL season, and she loved it,” Habuda said.
“In Canada, soccer is popular, but there’s not really a professional league or anything like that.”
Bella Habuda came to Australia on the recommendation of a friend and fellow footballer. (Supplied: Football Queensland)
The Canadian forward was named in the NPL Women’s Team of the Year, after scoring 20 goals for Gold Coast United.
“I used the season to fight for the W-League (now the A-League Women)… it’s really such a high level it’s amazing for internationals, it’s great for us now to see where we really are,” she said.
“I know players who played in America, in the NPL, then the A-League and are now on NWSL teams in the United States.
“So I think the name A-League definitely carries a lot of weight to say you played in that league.
“I think it can open a lot of doors, whether in Europe or America.”
World Cup effect
In less than two years, 32 national soccer teams will converge on Australia and New Zealand for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Over four weeks, nations will compete in dozens of matches in cities including Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.
“I think the World Cup is going to be a huge opportunity for everyone involved in football here, but also, I think, for the whole world, to come here and see Australia is incredible,” Clough said.
“It’s a good place to be during this time.”
Habuda has always strived to represent Canada and said playing in Australia before the World Cup could prove beneficial.
“If I am able to have a decent season in the A-League… any door can open. For example, Canada could come here for a camp to prepare for the World Cup.
“I know so many people who just want to be in Australia, because the World Cup is coming.”
The Australian way of life is a factor
It’s not just football that excites international players, it’s also the lifestyle.
“There are so many things I love about Australia,” Clough said.
“The beaches in particular, because they are, I think, the most beautiful in the world.
“But even then, I think Australians are pretty laid back people and you can joke about everything.”
Clough said that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, her experience in Australia has been slightly different than what she expected when she left American shores in 2019.
“As of August, it has been two years since I last saw my family.
“And there were so many sacrifices, like moving to a farm for three months to keep my visa and things like that, but it was all just part of the story, part of the experience.”
