Alana Cerne

Alana Černe (born 11 December 2002) is an Australian soccer player who last played as a defender or midfielder for A-League Women club Western Sydney Wanderers and the Australia women's national under-23 soccer team. She previously played for A-League Women club Western United.

Early years Černe was born in Melbourne in 2002; she grew up in the suburb of Fawkner with a sibling. At age seven Černe followed a primary school friend to training sessions. Her junior years were spent at Fawkner SC alongside boys, The 2020 and 2021 seasons were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. Černe continued with Calder when the NPL Victoria resumed in 2022, once again the team were Premiers and Champions. She had kicked five goals during regular season and one more in the grand final. The defender was awarded the NPL Victoria Player of the Year Medal.

Černe was the first woman signed with newly established A-League Women's team, Western United on 4 August 2022 for their 2022–23 season. During the regular season she made 17 appearances, which helped her team to second place on the Premiership table and two finals appearances to become Championship runners-up.

During Western United's 2023–24 regular season, Černe appeared 22 times, her team finished in third place on the league table. She scored a goal in their elimination final 2–4 loss against Newcastle Jets during April 2024. After achieving 50 A-League appearances with Western United, Černe was unavailable due to injury for portions of the 2024–25 season resulting in 11 appearances. After A-League duties ended in the off-season she played in the NPL Victoria team, Essendon Royals. Černe appeared 16 times in her first season for the Wanderers.

International career Australia women's national under-20 soccer team (Young Matildas) coach Leah Blayney offered Černe a scholarship with a Future Matildas program in 2023. She received additional training sessions after Western United's season ended. She kicked a goal on debut against Poland U23. In the resulting penalty shoot-out U23 Matildas won 5–3. and Timor Leste (9–0) to reach the semi-finals. Australia U23 were crowned champions after defeating Myanmar (1–0) in the final.