Eltham Redbacks FC is delighted to confirm that attacking midfielder Paige Foa has re-signed with our VPLW squad for the 2026 season.
Foa made an immediate impact after joining the Redbacks midway through the 2025 campaign, quickly establishing herself as one of the competition’s most efficient attacking threats. Despite featuring in just 11 matches, she finished the season with seven goals, making her the team’s second-highest scorer and underlining her ability to influence games whenever she was available.
Arriving from the United States after completing her collegiate career, Foa brought a combination of technical quality, composure in front of goal, and football intelligence that lifted the group during the second half of the season. Her goals-per-game return placed her among the most productive attackers in the squad and highlighted the threat she provides in the final third.
Reflecting on her decision to return for 2026, Foa pointed to the environment she found at Eltham.
“I came in halfway through last season and just really re-fell in love with football,” she said. “The club, the community, and everyone involved made it such a special place. Playing here on Friday nights was something I really looked forward to.”
Foa’s football journey includes four years in the US Soccer Development Academy system before competing at NCAA Division I level with Colgate University in New York. After graduating in May, she made the move to Australia and quickly settled into life at Eltham, supported by the club through the international player process and embraced by teammates, staff, and the wider community.
“There was so much support around the whole visa and international process, and I really felt that sense of community,” she said. “It made me excited to stick around for another season.”
Looking ahead, Foa is clear on the ambition for 2026.
“The goal is to win the league,” she said. “We’ve kept a lot of players from last year and added some really strong new talent. Right now it’s about getting on the same page and making it happen.”
Her attacking mindset fits neatly with the group’s playing style.
“JB’s principles are clear – the ball moves faster than the player – and that’s a style I really like. We want to score a lot of goals, take every game seriously, and build toward the top.”
With a full pre-season ahead and continuity around her, Foa shapes as a key figure in the Redbacks’ attacking plans for 2026, bringing proven output, experience, and a clear hunger to push the group forward.