Claudia Cholakian Explained

Claudia Cholakian
Fullname:Claudia Louise Cholakian
Birth Date:29 July 1996
Birth Place:Australia
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Gladesville Ravens
Clubnumber:17
Years1:2016–2020
Clubs1:Manly United
Years2:2020-2021
Clubs2:Sydney FC
Caps2:2
Goals2:0
Years3:2021–2022
Clubs3:Sydney Olympic
Caps3:15
Goals3:7
Years4:2023
Clubs4:Northern Tigers
Caps4:23
Goals4:10
Years5:2024-
Clubs5:Gladesville Ravens
Caps5:16
Goals5:3
Nationalyears1:2022–
Nationalteam1:Armenia
Nationalcaps1:11
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:21 August 2024

Claudia Louise Cholakian (Armenian: Կլաուդիա Լուիս Չոլակյան;[1] born 29 July 1996) is a footballer who plays as a midfielder for NPL NSW Women's club Gladesville Ravens. Born in Australia, she is a member of the Armenia women's national team.[2]

Club career

Youth career

Cholakian played her youth football for NWS Spirit and Northern Tigers, before joining Manly United as a 17-year-old.[3]

Manly United

Cholakian started her career with Australian second-tier side Manly United, making her first grade debut in 2016 as a 19-year-old.[4] In 2017, she spent the year abroad studying at King's College London in England as part of an exchange program with her university,[5] missing the 2017 season as a result. Cholakian returned to play for Manly United for the 2018 season.[6] [7] Cholakian won the Coaches' Award for Manly's first grade side in 2018.[8]

Between 2018 and 2020, Cholakian was the only player to feature for Manly in every single game, totalling 58 consecutive appearances for the club.[9] [10] Cholakian played in Manly's 2020 Championship winning team, playing the full 90 minutes in the Grand Final victory over Sydney University.[11]

In late 2020, Cholakian was chosen to represent Football NSW in an exhibition 'State of Origin' match against Football Queensland, winning selection due to her strong form in the NPL NSW competition.[12]

Sydney FC

In 2020, Cholakian received her big break in signing for Australian top flight club Sydney FC, competing in the W-League. Cholakian was signed as an injury replacement for Elizabeth Ralston in the lead up to the finals.[13] Cholakian made two appearances for Sydney FC,[14] and was part of their 2020-21 W-League championship.[15]

Sydney Olympic

In 2021, Cholakian signed for Sydney Olympic in the Australian second tier.[16] Cholakian spent two seasons at Sydney Olympic, also making her international debut with Armenia during her time at Olympic.[17] [18]

Northern Tigers

For the 2023 season, Cholakian re-joined Northern Tigers,[19] a club in which she had previously played junior football at.[20] Cholakian topped the Tigers' goal scoring charts for the season, finishing the season with 10 in the league, and 12 in all competitions.[21] Cholakian was part of the Tigers' run to the inaugural Sapphire Cup final, scoring a goal and providing an assist in the semi final.[22] Cholakian played in the final, unfortunately falling to a 2–1 defeat to APIA Leichhardt.[23]

Gladesville Ravens

For the 2024 season, Cholakian moved to Gladesville Ravens.[24] [25] Cholakian made her first league start for the club against her previous club, Northern Tigers, at Christie Park on 21 April 2024.[26]

International career

Cholakian represents Armenia at the international level, making her debut in 2022 in a FIFA Women's World Cup qualifier.[27] Cholakian has so far made 11 appearances for the senior national team.[28]

Personal life

Cholakian completed a master's degree in sustainability at the University of Sydney and is currently employed as a sustainability advisor for property developer Frasers Property.[29] Cholakian is the younger sister of Brendan Cholakian, who currently plays for Rockdale Ilinden in the men's National Premier Leagues NSW competition. Brendan also was playing for Manly United when Claudia made her senior debut, and moved to Sydney Olympic in the same year Claudia did.[30]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Կլաուդիա Լուիս Չոլակյան. Football Federation of Armenia. hy.
  2. Web site: Claudia Cholakian relishes Armenian Experience. 20 April 2022 . womens.nplnsw.com.au.
  3. Web site: Cholakian keen to scale new heights. 29 March 2018 . manlyunitedfc.com.au.
  4. Web site: NSW Women's 1 NPL - Manly v Illawarra. 12 June 2016. Getty Images.
  5. Web site: Cholakian keen to scale new heights. 29 March 2018 . manlyunitedfc.com.au.
  6. Web site: Manly's Women Shaping Up For Title Defence. 3 March 2018. manlyunitedfc.com.au.
  7. Web site: National Premier Leagues NSW Women's 2018 Preview. March 2018. National Premier Leagues NSW.
  8. Web site: Claudia Cholakian - First Grade Coaches' Award. Manly United FC. Facebook. 13 September 2018.
  9. Web site: Claudia Cholakian excited to be back. 27 May 2020. womens.nplnsw.com.au.
  10. Web site: Cholakian raring for grand final redemption. 7 October 2020 . manlyunitedfc.com.au.
  11. Web site: NSW NPL Women's 2020 Grand Final Report – Sydney University vs Manly United. 15 October 2020. beyond90.com.au.
  12. Web site: Football NSW Announces Women's Squad for Queensland Clash. 10 December 2020. myfootball.com.au.
  13. Web site: Sydney FC Complete Three Westfield W-League Signings. 19 March 2021. sydneyfc.com.
  14. Web site: Claudia Cholakian. aleaguestats.com.
  15. Web site: Congratulations to Claudia Cholakian, 2021 W-League Premiership Winner with Sydney FC!. FNX Sports. Instagram. 1 April 2021.
  16. Web site: Claudia Cholakian, Sydney Olympic, 2021. twitter.com.
  17. Web site: Claudia Cholakian relished Armenian experience. 20 April 2022. National Premier Leagues NSW.
  18. Web site: 2022 NSW NPL Women's Wrap – Round 3. 27 April 2022. beyond90.com.au.
  19. Web site: Northern Tigers Focus to Go One Better This Season. 2 March 2023. National Premier Leagues NSW.
  20. Web site: Claudia Cholakian BUzzzing at the Tigers. 17 May 2023. National Premier Leagues NSW.
  21. Web site: 2023 Highest Goalscorer. Football NSW.
  22. Web site: Tigers Dismantle Ravens to Progress to Sapphire Cup Final. 4 August 2023. Football NSW.
  23. Web site: APIA Leichhardt Crowned Inaugural Sapphire Cup Champions. 10 September 2023. Football NSW.
  24. Web site: Gladesville Ravens welcomes our new players for the 2024 season. Gladesville Ravens. Instagram. 20 February 2024.
  25. Web site: NPL NSW Women signings tracker: Signings, coups and call-ups for every team. 14 March 2024. The Daily Telegraph.
  26. Web site: Northern Tigers Defeat Ravens in Thriller. 21 April 2024. National Premier Leagues NSW.
  27. Web site: Claudia Cholakian relished Armenian experience. 20 April 2022. National Premier Leagues NSW.
  28. Web site: Claudia Cholakian - Soccer player profile and career statistics. globalsportsachive.com.
  29. Web site: Cholakian . Claudia . 25 January 2023 . Claudia Cholakian- LinkedIn .
  30. Web site: Sydney Olympic Football Club is excited to announce the signing of former Manly United FC attacking midfielder Brendan Cholakian for the 2021 season. Sydney Olympic FC. Facebook. 27 October 2020.