Auckland United FC Premier Women’s squad strengthened with 5 new stars
Auckland United FC’s Premier Women’s squad has gone from strength to strength with the addition of even more talent following their OFC Women’s Champions League success. Learn all about the fine new additions to the squad below.
Saskia Vosper
Saskia started out her women’s footballing career with Forrest Hill Milford United (now Northern Rovers). While at FHMU she won the Kate Sheppard cup in 2016.
When the Future Ferns Development Program was set up, she was asked to be a part of the squad before being selected for the 2016 New Zealand U-17 World Cup team.
Saskia continued her development with FFDP and was selected for the U-19 OFC Qualifying Tournament in 2017, which they won.
When the Wellington Phoenix Women’s team was announced in 2021, Saskia was contacted to be a member of the inaugural team. She played for the Phoenix for 2 seasons before taking a short break from football to travel and visit family overseas.
After returning to NZ, Saskia played in the 2023 National League with Waterside Karori and was voted into the national Team of the Season.
On joining AUFC Saskia said, "I have joined Auckland United to reunite with players and coaches I’ve played with in the past, and to continue to develop my game in a competitive environment."
Charlotte Roche
Charlotte Roche kicked off her football journey with North Canterbury club Waimak United at the age of 5.
After playing several years at Waimak, she was fortunate to be involved with Canterbury Pride development for 2 years. This transitioned into the Christchurch Premier Women's League in which she has played for Waimak United, University of Canterbury and most recently Cashmere Technical.
For the past three years she has played for Canterbury United Pride in National League and National Youth League. Last year Charlotte was invited to both NZF U20 training camps.
Alongside playing, Charlotte is passionate about passing on her love for football through coaching, having been the Girls and Women's Development Officer at Mainland Football last year (2023).
Charlotte says, "Since making the move up, I have enjoyed coaching the Academy girls, and being able to play and train alongside a talented group of players at Auckland United. I can't wait to see what 2024 has in store!"
Chloe Knott
Whilst Chloe is not new to AUFC having come through the ranks at Three Kings as a junior as well as joining our squad for last year’s NLC campaign during the Phoenix off season, she’s back at Auckland United again and we couldn’t be more pleased.
Chloe started playing football when she was 7 in Bolton, England. After moving to New Zealand with her family, Chloe began her Prems career at the age of 13 at East Coast Bays before spending an extended period at Three Kings United and then Forrest Hill Milford.
Chloe was part of the U17s, U20s, and Football Ferns Development program, but was unable to be selected for games due to FIFA ineligibility.
Chloe moved to Washington D.C. for 4 years to play Div 1 for Georgetown University, where she won the cup and league 3 times and competed for the NCAA National Title.
Chloe then played Championship football for Durham FC in England whilst completing a masters program in Developmental Psychology.
Following this, she moved back to New Zealand and played for Northern Rovers before being selected for the Inaugural Wellington Phoenix professional team. She played for the team in Sydney and Wellington before making the decision to move back home to Auckland.
Chloe says, " I am currently buzzing to be playing back at Auckland United with a great group of girls and staff, and can’t wait to contribute my best efforts to ensure the club continues to be a top footballing environment in the country."
Angela Pivac
Angela began her football journey at 9 years old at Forrest Hill Milford AFC in 2016, where she made her Premier Women’s debut for Northern Rovers FC at 15 years old in 2022.
In 2023, Angela moved to Wellington attending boarding school to play for the Wellington Phoenix Women’s Reserve’s in the Women’s National League. During this time, she was also fortunate enough to be selected to represent New Zealand at the OFC U16 Qualifiers in Tahiti which she won.
Angela says, "I'm happy to be back home in Auckland again and look forward to the season ahead, where I'm lucky enough to work with many amazing players and staff at AUFC."
Hannah Mitchell
Hannah grew up in New Jersey and chose to become a goalkeeper at the age of 10. She was a three year New Jersey ODP member and regional pool call-up.
Hannah was named in the Best XI Team at Elite Club National League (ECNL), New Jersey and Phoenix and played for both PDA and Cedar Stars Academy before college.
In the spring of 2019, Hannah was called into the U-19 Scotland Women's pool before heading to UCLA to play Division 1 in the PAC-12 Conference. The team won two league titles and had one Final Four appearance between 2019-2022. Hannah was featured on ESPN Sports Center Top 10 Plays & CBS Sports Top Plays in 2021.
Hannah then grad-transferred to the University of Arizona whilst completing her Masters in Law.
On moving to New Zealand and Auckland United FC Hannah says: "I've always wanted to come to this part of the world and especially coming off the World Cup, I think New Zealand is fostering a high level of soccer and I'm thankful to have the opportunity to be a part of it. My coach, Jenny Bindon at UCLA represented the Ferns for a number of years and spoke very highly of her time in the NZ system."
"I am very grateful to Coach Ben Bate and the whole staff for taking me on and am excited for the season ahead to work with an incredible group of girls and continue to push for more titles."
