The Ninja A-League will kick off this weekend, with numerous northern NSW juniors shining bright across the competition.
After the record-breaking success of the 2023/24 season that saw record crowds, memberships and viewership, the 2024/25 season will see the competition extended to 23 rounds.
The Newcastle Jets will enter their 16th year in the women’s competition, with the club and supporters eager for another successful campaign.
The club made it to the semi-finals last season, reigniting hope and excitement into the region.
Ryan Campbell was appointed as Jets head coach after his successful stint as interim head coach for the back end of last season, with veteran Cass Davis donning the armband for the sixth year in a row.
The Jets season will take flight on Sunday when they host Western Sydney Wanderers at Cessnock Sportsground at 4pm.
Eleven northern NSW juniors will line up in the Jets’ 2024/25 women’s squad, including goalkeepers Tiahna Robertson and Lily-Rose Dunbar.
Davis will accompany fellow Novocastrians Libby Copus-Brown and Emma Dundas in the midfield alongside local attackers Milan Hammond, Lauren Allan and Lara Gooch.
Newcastle Jets Academy stars Josie Allan, Chloe Walandouw and Claire Adams will hope to put their mark on the Ninja A-League after signing scholarship deals with the club.
There is also a distinct northern NSW flavour across the other Ninja A-League clubs. Port Macquarie junior Olivia Price will enter her sixth season with the Western Sydney Wanderers, with the midfielder to return to familiar territory when the Wanders head north to face the Jets on Sunday.
Newcastle junior Kirsty Fenton will continue her tenure with reigning champions Sydney FC. But the defender will not feature for the Blues until early 2025 after she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament at the start of 2024. Sydney FC will face the Central Coast Mariners away from home on Saturday.
Another Newcastle product Annalee Grove will remain a key part of Adelaide United this season as the club's number one goalkeeper. The Reds will look to bounce back from a disappointing 2023/24 campaign that saw them finish at the bottom of the table. They will be out to prove themselves in their opening game of the competition against Melbourne Victory at home on Saturday.
Armidale junior and Young Matildas goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln has signed with Western United for the 2024/25 season. The club will be eager to have another successful campaign after they finished third last season. They will kick their Ninja A-League competition off when they host Wellington Phoenix on Friday night.
Reigning premiers Melbourne City will welcome a new-look Perth Glory to town when they go head-to-head on Sunday.
It will be the battle of the Matildas veterans when Canberra United host Brisbane Roar on Saturday. National team stars Michelle Heyman (Canberra) and Tameka Yallop (Brisbane) will each wear the captain's armband for their respective clubs this season with the hope for both clubs to return to finals football in the 2024/25 season.
The Ninja A-League's 16th season will be action-packed from start to finish. Don’t miss the Newcastle Jets Women's opening match of the season at Cessnock Sportsground kicking off at 4pm.
