Olivia Price has already spent five seasons with the Western Sydney Wanderers, and is set for two more after signing a contract extension to the end of the 2025/26 season.
It’s a decision that makes sense for club and player; Price has been a crucial figure in the side’s midfield, making 19 appearances last season which took her tally for the club to 67 over two stints.
But for Price, staying at a club on the rise under coach Robbie Hooker is also a sensible decision, with the 27-year-old having grand ambitions for the future of the Wander Women.
“The next couple of years knowing he (coach Robbie Hooker) is staying, I think it’ll be a good year.
“I want to just be involved in finals football, I want to be involved in a winning team. I think Robbie has that as well. And I think it’d be really cool to be involved in that.”
Price is now in the prime of her career, having played at our crosstown rivals as well as having a two season stint at Canberra United; she has also represented Australia at U20 level.
Her experience means she is taking on a leadership role within a young team that saw two
15-year-olds make their debuts last season, and she notices how her role in the club has changed since her first spell back in 2017.
“Being more of an experienced player, there’s kind of a bit more there being involved in this club, than when I was younger.
“I think back when I was 15 getting signed at a club was all about you’re just excited, you’re getting signed at a club, where now I have a different view of it.”
“I like helping them. I like being there if they hopefully don’t feel scared to come talk to me about things. I feel like I’m a big role model in terms of that, especially at this club. I want to continue being involved in that.”
Price wants to help guide talented youngsters like Talia Younis, Alexia Apostolakis and Gemma Ferris reach their best as the Wanderers continue building a squad to contend at the top of the table, having already re-signed Cushla Rue and Danika Matos.
She feels consistency is crucial in ensuring this happens.
“(The) last couple of seasons we’ve had the core girls that have stayed on, and hopefully moving forward as well the ones that stay on, definitely contribute to making a championship team, because you need time together, and you get so close.
“If you spend more time togetherI think it helps contribute to (a) winning (team).”
Winning is something the Wanderers did a lot of last season, having their best ever season in terms of numbers of wins, goals scored and in points total.
They won 10 games and scored 30 goals in the season, falling agonisingly short of a spot in the finals due to goal difference.
They have also benefited from the spike in popularity in women’s football after the Women’s World Cup, with the Wanderers recording their highest ever home attendances in some matches, including over 9,000 at the Sydney Derby, and 3,873 at Carrington Park in Bathurst.
Price and the rest of the team have taken notice, and it’s had a positive impact on their form, as they picked up big wins over Melbourne City, Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne Victory in front of their fans.
“It’s been eye opening to see how many supporters and fans were behind us this season, and it does make a difference, that’s why we love playing at home.
“We love playing here (at Wanderers Football Park). We call it our fortress because we have the fans that back us, and that really helps us with games.”
