Stingrays sign Matildas star Heather Garriock

TIM BARROW
08 Feb, 2012 04:00 AM

Heather Garriock - one of Australia’s most accomplished international footballers - will be unveiled as the Illawarra Stingrays star signing today.

New coach Steve Marsh has pulled off a major coup by securing the midfielder to spearhead the Stingrays’ bid for a fourth consecutive NSW Premier League title.

Garriock is a dual Olympian and World Cup player, having represented Australia more than 100 times since making her debut as a 16-year-old in 1999.

The 29-year-old’s decorated career also includes stints in Denmark and with United States women’s league club Chicago Red Stars, as well as Sydney FC.

The Mercury understands Garriock’s announcement is set to be confirmed at a press conference this morning.

The signing is a major step in Marsh’s plan to attract star quality to the team as well as develop emerging players into the NSW Premier League.

‘‘This is the important thing we need to provide in the Illawarra; stepping stones for young players to aspire to playing at the highest possible level, not only within the region but nationally as well,’’ Marsh told the Mercury last month.

‘‘I’m continuing to look at the potential of major signings ... certainly at international level.’’

An attacking left-sided midfielder, Garriock burst on to the world scene as a teenager, making her international debut in China in front of a crowd of about 40,000.

She then represented Australia at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and was again part of the Matildas squad in Athens four years later.

Garriock played every minute of the Australian World Cup campaigns in the United States (2003) and China (2007).

She was drafted into the inaugural US women’s league competition, picked at No12 overall by Chicago, but returned to Australia in 2009 to play for Sydney.

The signing adds further weight to South Coast’s push for a W-League team, with their history of being able to develop and attract international-standard players.

Garriock’s arrival comes as premiership-winning Canberra United and Stingrays striker Michelle Heyman prepares to join Denmark powerhouse Brondby IF.

Heyman signed with the Danish club last week, meaning she will miss the entire NSW Premier League season.


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