When the Newcastle Jets kick off their 2022-23 A-League Women’s season this month there will be more than a hint of local flavour in their squad.
The Jets have seven players who played in Northern NSW Football’s inaugural NPL Women’s NNSW competition last season.
Warners Bay quartet Cass Davis, Tara Andrews, Lauren Allan and Adriana Konjarski, Maitland FC’s Sophie Stapleford and Adamstown Rosebud JFC duo Leia Puxty and Josie Morley will all pull on Jets colours this campaign starting with their season opener against Brisbane Roar at Perry Park on 19 November.
Newcastle Jets coach Ashley Wilson highlighted the importance of the elite player pathway and providing opportunities for local talented players.
"Newcastle is a proud footballing area with a rich history particularly in the women's game and as the league expands, the need to ensure we have good local foundations and talent pathways is vital." Wilson said.
"In our area the Jets academy and the NPLW are two clear pathways for talent to be fostered with both providing opportunities for players to be identified. I think if players can see opportunities it allows them to set goals and work toward them which in turn creates more players with aspirations to work hard, be challenged and take steps to achieve their goals."
NNSWF Head of Football Development Peter Haynes said the selections were a huge positive for football in the region.
“Having so many local girls progress to this level is proof that our Talented Player Pathway and programs that we deliver continue to provide a platform to assist talented players in the region to reach the highest level of football in the country," Haynes said.
“These girls, their families, clubs and coaches should be immensely proud of their achievements to date. And we look forward to providing similar pathways for young boys and girls across the region.
“It’s also just as important to players who don’t immediately progress to the professional level that our NPL Women’s NNSW competition is playing a role underpinning the A-League Women’s competition and can provide a platform for players to continue to showcase their talent outside a professional environment.”
NNSWF General Manager Football Operations Liam Bentley said the inclusion of the seven NPL Women’s NNSW players in the Jets squad was a fantastic endorsement of the strength of NNSWF’s premier women’s competition.
“To have players of A-League calibre playing week in and week out in our top women’s competition is great confirmation of the standard we have,” Bentley said.
“But also for all aspiring players it’s encouraging because it sends the message that if you perform on the biggest stage in northern NSW you have every opportunity of being rewarded with chance at the national level.”
The Jets’ first home game is against Western Sydney Wanderers on 26 November, with the match to be played at Tamworth’s Scully Park.
The Jets return to Newcastle to face Perth Glory at No.2 Sportsground on 3 December.
Fixture/ticket information for the Newcastle Jets 2022/23 A-League Women's season is available HERE