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Nottingham Forest make the move to full-time

By Caitlin Kelly 13/7/24

Above: Nottingham Forest Women celebrating a goal in a team huddle Photo: Nottingham Forest Women Official Media

It was recently announced that National League North side Nottingham Forest Women will move to a full-time professional model from the 2025/26 season. This is such positive news for Forest, but what does this shift entail and what will it mean for the club?

By announcing the switch to a full-time professional model, the club’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, will no doubt have ambitions of both Forest sides competing at the highest levels in football.

For the upcoming 2024/25 season, the women’s first team will consist of eighteen full-time professional players, as well as a handful of part-time players to complete the squad. With the aim of becoming a fully professional team by the following season. Beginning with a split between full-time and part-time should seemingly make the transition a smooth one.

One aim of the full-time professional model is to aim for promotion to the Championship, before targeting the highest tier- the Women’s Super League. Forest narrowly missed out on promotion to the Championship two seasons ago after a 1-0 defeat by Watford in the play-off final, before the implementation of automatic promotion to both Northern and Southern Premier League winners.

The club has stated that with the change to this set-up involves a considerably increased amount of contracted time for the squad. As a result, the players will receive enhanced learning opportunities, allowing them to reach their full potential during their time at the club, both on and off the pitch.

The squad being provided with access to and huge investment into high-end medical, nutritional, recovery and support systems. This therefore will expand the fitness as well as the health of the players, and as a result, should maximise the ability to perform well by the squad.

Furthermore, another change for the Women’s side, but this time academy level, is discarding the paid subscriptions for Girls’ Academy. This idea sprung from the aim for both the Boys’ and Girls’ Academy to be provided equal opportunities throughout the earlier stages of their footballing journey.

In addition, Forest propose that contact time with the Academy players will notably increase to meet guidance from the FA for desirable talent development. The club also seeks to significantly develop grassroots girls’ football venues in the area as part of the ‘Vision for Sport’ initiative.

By removing barriers in the academy and at grassroots level, such as focusing on adding facilities in under-served areas of the city, young girls wanting to embark on the footballing journey can not only aspire to reach the professional level but also achieve that dream. These ideas also “aim to diversify the talent pool” coming through both academy and grassroots level and “cultivate homegrown Nottingham talent” states Nottingham Forest’s Head of Women & Girls Football, Amber Wildgust. This serves for a bright future for Women’s Football from grassroots all the way through to professional leagues.

Lastly, this ambitious vision sees Forest Women play all eleven league home games at the City Ground, providing the team and fans with elite facilities throughout the entirety of the season. This attendance capacity is a significant jump from their previous home, Grange Park, allowing the club to expand to a wider fan base and show off the entertainment provided by National League football.

With recent close calls, this all allows Nottingham Forest to continue with their ambition on playing Women’s Football at the highest level.

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Sydney signs 17-year old NPL NSW star Amber Luchtmeijer

Above: Amber Luchtmeijer signs for the Sky Blues. Image: Sydney FC.

By Genevieve Henry (12/7/24).

The reigning A-League Women champions Sydney FC have bolstered their attacking line ahead of the 2024-25 season with the signing of 17-year old Amber Luchtmeijer.

“I’m super excited and overjoyed to be joining Sydney FC.”

The young striker currently leads the National Premier League New South Wales (NPL NSW) golden boot charts, with 17 goals in 19 games. Since joining her current club, Bulls FC, from the Blacktown Spartans, she has been on fire. Luchtmeijer has the capability to score all kinds of goals; from solo runs to cheeky chips.

Luchtmeijer has been playing football since she was five in the suburbs of Sydney. At age 14, she joined the Blacktown Spartans, where she began to make a name for herself, before moving on after enduring a tough relegation battle with the side. At the Bulls Academy, the young gun has grown into her boots and really put her name up in lights, even scoring a brace against her former club.

“To make the step up to the A-League is something I have dreamed of since the age of five and it’s just super exciting.” Luchtmeijer siad, “I’m looking forward to working in the professional space and against more of the girls that play there.”

On top of her football, the year-12 student has to make time to study for her exams, showing her determination and work ethic. In a previous interview she spoke of her excitement to finish school so that she can dedicate more time to football.

Sydney is the perfect club for Luchtmeijer, with not only it’s winning record and need for goals, but for youth development. Alongside fellow teenagers Indiana Dos Santos and Maddie Caspers to name a few, Luchtmeijer will hope to grow into a big name.

“Getting on the score sheet in the A-League would be pretty amazing but I just want to improve as a player and get used to performing in the professional space, but goals would definitely be a bonus.”

Luchtmeijer has spoken of her ambitions to be in contention for Young Matildas or even the Matildas. If she can thrive in Sky Blue, she’s well on her way.

Sydney head coach Ante Juric believes Luchtmeijer is full of potential and star quality.

“Amber is a star of the future in Sydney FC’s eyes, she is very quick, has an excellent eye for goal and finishes with great maturity.”

“She is a natural goalscorer and has had a breakout year in the NPL.”

“She has a lot of potential and I believe she can step up to this level.”

Juric is known for developing talented young players into stars. Luchtmeijer will hope he can work his magic and help her turn into the next big thing. “I am looking forward to working with her and helping her to flourish into a confident A-League Women’s player.”

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Gustavsson: “The one thing this team knows is that we can beat any team”

Above: Tony Gustavsson speaking to the press. Image: Football Australia.

By Genevieve Henry (12/7/24).

Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson spoke to the media today, sharing his thoughts of Australia’s hard work and mentality ahead of their Olympic warm-up match against Canada.

“It’s been intense. Very intense.”

In preparation for the heat, the team has been training in Marbella in the south of Spain. “We’ve been training very, very hard, getting some heat acclimation to be ready to play in heat, but also we know how tight the schedule in the Olympics is, so we have to make sure we’re fit and in form.” Gustavsson said, but emphasised the importance of the balance between work and rest. “You don’t want to break them, you want to build them.”

With two of Australia’s defenders in tough spots with injury, Gustavsson shared that it’s still too early to say if captain Steph Catley and young gun Kaitlyn Torpey will be available for their first game in the Olympics against Germany. He was optimistic about Torpey in particular and hoped to get her some minutes in the upcoming matches.

“It’s a great change, considering player welfare…” Gustavsson raved about the impact the new rule regarding alternates could make, especially if Torpey and Catley aren’t ready by the first match.

“Before we even knew the rule change, we had already made the decision. Steph is with us. Everything we do is to make her available for the 25th. Even if there wasn’t a rule change, I would have kept her.” Gustavsson said, “It’s Steph Catley. It’s our captain.”

Gustavsson spoke about the selection of Canada as their pre-Olympics opponent, highlighting the similarities “in terms of player profile, physicality, aggressiveness, speed in behind the back line” between the side and the USA and Germany in particular.

“Over the past year, we haven’t played as many games against top oppositions as we did leading into the World Cup.”

Coming off of a break, many players will have a harder time getting into tournament mode. “(A lot of the team) haven’t played a game in a long time, it’s against the Olympic champions, and we’re a little bit heavy-legged, so it will be a challenge, but that replicates what it will be like further (into) the tournament.”

“We’re gonna see a lot of rotation, a lot of subs in tomorrow’s game,” Gustavsson shared, after mentioning that the team will be tired going into the match. The teams agreed to use unlimited subs, so Gustavsson and Canada coach Bev Priestman can give their players a rest after full-on training camps.

“It’s all about preparing for the Olympics.” He said, “We need to approach it as though it is the Olympics. Otherwise, we don’t train the mental part of the game.”

Gustavsson talked about the balance of focusing on their first match, versus the rest of the group stage, saying, “All three group stage (matches) are important.” One of the hardest groups, the Tillies will have to contend with 2016 Olympic champs Germany, powerhouse USA, and dark horse Zambia.

“We present all three group stage opponents, so they have an idea of what its gonna look like, so when you’re on the training park and you do different drills, you can always reference ‘okay, this will be good against that opponent…But now getting closer to it, it’s more focus on Germany, because it’s all about the opening game, mindset wise.”

“You need to get out of the group. Once you get out of that group, anything can happen.”

“It’s very important that multiple players get playing time as well, ” he said, bringing up his ‘finishing eleven’ belief. “Every single player sitting on that bench is gonna have to be ready; tactically, mentally, and physically.”

**Above:** Cooney-Cross in Olympic preparation mode. **Image:** Rachel Bach, Football Australia.

“When you mention (Kyra Cooney-Cross and Mary Fowler), I think they (personify) the journey of this team. If you look at that first Olympics, Kyra Cooney-Cross had zero caps in Tokyo, I think Mary had three, and I think both of them are about 50 now. If you look at their journey, I think they represent the journey of this team, where we’re not only competing in major tournaments, we’re building depth in the roster.”

“They go in much more ready to take a bigger responsibility. Both Kyra and Mary can lead by the way they play. If you look at Cooney-Cross, she’s been consistent playing centre mid for us, that’s the heart, the engine of everything we do.”

“Then you look at Mary, who’s been phenomenal at the end of the season for Manchester City. Then for us, she’s also been good, but I want to make her great. It’s my job to make sure we find her more often, and that’s actually been a very, very important topic for us over these past ten days. How can we find Mary more in the game, how can we get her more involved, what players do we need around her…How can I utilise Mary more? When she’s on the ball, she can do things that very few players can do.”

“They should just be Kyra and Mary, because that’s when they are at their best.”

The Matildas have been working especially hard to form cohesion on the pitch, “No matter if it’s these two centre midfielders or those two…that everyone has an understanding of collectively what we wanna do, but individually, we want the players to be themselves.”

“It’s important that all those players get minutes in this game.”

“You know what it’s like in life, you get experiences that can’t be replicated in training. I think that the World Cup on home soil made them even better prepared for this tournament.”

“This is the fourth tournament for me with this team, so this team feels better prepared. A lot of these players have played together for a long time. The tactics we’ve done after the World Cup to have a base structure, as the building block, and work on developing that game style over a year going into this tournament. Hopefully I made them feel (that winning mentality), and I feel something similar. I feel there’s a vibe here, there’s a commitment, there’s a determination, and there’s a belief.”

“The players definitely feel prepared.”

“We know the Olympics is going to be tough. We’re not even ranked top eight, so in terms of ranking maybe we shouldn’t even make it to the quarterfinal, maybe on paper we are not the best team. But the one thing this team knows is that we can beat any team.”

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Remi Allen takes charge as Southampton head coach

By Aimee Reynolds (12/07/2024)

Above: Remi Allen signs on the dotted line as Southampton’s new boss. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Southampton FC Women.

Southampton have appoint Remi Allen as Head Coach for the new Championship season after impressing at her recent spell with London City Lionesses, where she saved the side from relegation.

Even though this is Allen’s first full-time position as head coach, her work ethic is hard to match. The 33-year-old has also experienced being assistant coach for England Women Under- 23s during an England Elite Coaching Programme.

Allen’s words around joining the club were nothing but positive: “I am delighted to be on board with an incredible football club. It’s such an exciting time to be here, the club has huge ambition, and the group of players here are such a talented group.”

**Above:** Remi Allen unveiled as new Southampton head coach today. **Photo supplied to *Impetus* by:** Southampton FC Women.

Allen knows a good player when she sees one after having a 16-year playing career. With experiences ranging from the Women’s Super League to the Women’s Championship. “I can’t wait to get started on the journey; it’s going to be an exciting season ahead” spoke the new Head Coach.

Director of Women’s Football Marieanne Spacey-Cale stated: “We’re delighted to welcome Remi to the club as she becomes our new Head Coach, and we begin the next stage of our journey. Remi is an exciting young coach with both recent playing experience and a passion to succeed in the early stages of her transition to management.”

“She brings energy and fresh ideas that I believe our players will thrive on, and I look forward to seeing her begin working with the team ahead of the new season.”

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Matildas out to build on lessons learned from the World Cup

by Ben Gilby (12/7/24)

Above: Hayley Raso in training this week at the Matildas pre-Olympic camp in North Spain. Photo: Rachel Bach / Football Australia.

Whilst Australia have evolved their style and added depth to their squad since last year’s World Cup, attacker Hayley Raso feels that experiencing high pressure and overcoming adversity in ways like never before at last year’s tournament will be the key lessons that will assist the Matildas to head towards a medal at the Olympics.

Speaking to the media yesterday from the squad’s pre-Olympic training base in Marbella, the former Manchester City and Real Madrid star said: “Playing in the World Cup, we were able to feel what its like to play in these pressure moments, play in these big tournaments, so we kind of know where we are at with that, we know we can play under immense pressure.

“Coming into the Olympics now…you are always going to be playing a hard game, but for us we know there’s a medal on the line and that’s something we’re looking to achieve. Every game will be tough but we’re up and ready for it.”

Whilst the majority of the Matildas side have tasted the unique experience of an Olympic Games, this one is going to be very different from the last one in Tokyo, and Raso reflected on both the enormity and excitement of what is about to hit her and her team mates.

“The last Olympics for me was really special, it was my first, it was such an exciting time, but…with COVID it was a little bit different, playing in the stadiums and having no fans, none of our friends and family were there, so in terms of the actual tournament, it was a little bit different.

**Above:** Hayley Raso speaking to the media yesterday. **Image:** Football Australia.

“So for this time around, I’m really looking to having my family there, the fans, a little bit more of a different experience. Being an Olympian is such a special feeling, I think it’s something you dream about from a child, I did, so to be here, to be at my second Olympics and represent Australia and hopefully go one better (than fourth place last time) is something I’m looking forward to.”

Saturday evening (local time) sees the Matildas take on Canada in their final friendly before departing for France. Raso believes that playing a top quality opponent in the defending Gold medallists is vital to get Australia ready for the intensity of such a short tournament.

“It’s important to play a stronger team like Canada as we know in the Olympics there are no easy games, all the groups are tough, all the games are tough because there are not that many teams (12) so I suppose…it’s about going into that game freshening things up, working on things and we’ll peak for come the Olympics,” the attacker said.

As with the World Cup, Australia are heading into a major tournament with a question mark over the fitness of their captain. For Sam Kerr in 2023, read Steph Catley in 2024. A leg injury has kept the Arsenal star out of tomorrow’s game. Raso feels that whatever transpires, the Matildas have a plan for every eventuality.

“I know she (Catley) is on an individualised plan, working on that, so I think she’ll be trusting the guidelines of the physios and we’ll go from there.

“Injuries are part of football, it’s pretty normal to have players in and out. We are a good, strong, solid squad. No matter who is in the team or who is out of the team we know that whoever is playing in the moment will step up, it’s the same in training.”

**Above:** Hayley Raso celebrates after scoring against China last month. **Photo:** Kris Goman for *Impetus*.

Raso comes into the Olympics on the back on less game time than she would have liked at Real Madrid, a club she departed at the end of the Liga F season. Despite that, the attacker has been a constant top performer in the national team and is confident of continuing her influential run for the Matildas.

“I’m feeling really good, really excited. It’s nice to finally be here, back with the girls where I feel most confident. Coming back off of the club, I was training hard and I had a nice little rest and refresh.

“Scoring goals is obviously a great thing. As a striker it’s something I want to do. Playing for the national team I’ve been able to do that a lot recently, and I think it’s really important in these moments, in these pressure games, in these high intensity games that I’m able to do that. Having players out, other players have to step up and I think a few of us have done that, but I hope to be able to continue that and get my first Olympics goal…

“When I think about my time at Real Madrid, I think about how much I enjoyed it. Going into a new environment, a new culture, and not speaking the language, I was nervous, but I felt like I really fitted in well there. Playing that style of football, obviously the Spanish won the World Cup, so the standard is so high, every game, every day in training, playing in the Champions League, all of those things were things I wanted to do, so I leave there very happy and content that I did all that I could.

“European football and the growth of it there has been huge, and it’s been amazing to see, and that’s why a lot of us are over there playing so we are able to be at a top level when we come into the national team.”

In terms of her next club move, Raso was tight lipped: “All of that will come into focus in due course, at the moment all my focus is on the Olympics. We’ve got this period now to prepare for that…I’ll sort all the rest out after that.”

Right now, The Matildas are lasering in sorting out their preparations for a medal at the Olympics, and you would not bet against them achieving that.

Images of Matildas training from Thursday from Rachel Bach / Football Australia

Keep an eye out for Impetus‘ detailed preview articles on every one of the nations competing at the Olympics Women’s Football competition, starting on the site tomorrow with the first Group A nation.

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Southampton sign goalkeeper Fran Stenson

by Morganna King (11/07/24)

Above: Fran Stenson signs on the dotted line for the Championship club. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Southampton FC Women

Fran Stenson has completed the move from Championship rivals Sheffield United to Southampton FC.

“We’re delighted to welcome Fran to the club, and looking forward to seeing the strong competition she will add to our goalkeeping group” Director of Women’s Football, Marieanne Spacey-Cale voiced about Stenson.

The England youth international made 25 appearances for Sheffield United in the 22/23 season. Being only 23 years old, Stenson has a myriad of experience under her belt already. She made her professional debut in 2017 for Birmingham City in the WSL and has since then signed for clubs such as Arsenal, Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City.

**Above:** Happy to be a Saint – Fran Stenson. **Photo supplied to *Impetus* by:** Southampton FC Women.

Fran Stenson is also joined at Southampton FC by her former teammate at the Blades; Tara Bourne. This signing makes the fourth arrival of the summer transfer window for the club. “I’m really happy to get the deal done.” Stenson said. “I feel like the club has high ambitions which align with mine and I think it’s going to be a very exciting season.”

“I think it’s going to be a very competitive group, we’ve got great keepers and I think we can all learn off each other. They can definitely raise my game and I can definitely raise theirs – that’s a really important part to have so we can push on.” The 24/25 campaign is set to be an exciting one for The Saints who placed sixth last season.

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Matildas build-up to Canada clash

Above: Kyra Cooney-Cross captured during training this week in Marbella. Photo: Rachel Bach / Football Australia.

by Ben Gilby (11/7/24)

Australia have continued their preparations for Sunday evening’s (local time) final pre-Olympic friendly with Canada in Marbella by bringing Winonah Heatley into the squad for the game after injuries have impacted Steph Catley and Kaitlyn Torpey.

Whilst Heatley cannot be part of the squad or alternates list for the Olympics as they have already been submitted, she can provide cover and play for this match only as it falls within a FIFA international window.

Catley and Torpey are both nursing lower leg injuries – Torpey’s was sustained in her final game for San Diego Wave before coming into the camp whilst Catley was already managing the niggle.

Heatley has been in influential form with her Danish side FC Nordsjælland, captaining them to their first Elitedivisionen title, scoring a decisive goal in the final match of the season to clinch the league. Days later she completed the double as the club lifted the Danish Cup to claim a historic feat.

There is no suggestion at this time that either Catley or Torpey will miss the Olympics.

More images from this week’s Matildas training by Rachel Bach, supplied to Impetus by Football Australia:

Keep an eye out for Impetus‘ detailed preview articles on every one of the nations competing at the Olympics Women’s Football competition, starting on the site this Saturday.

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Lionesses camp latest

**Photo**: Alessia Russo speaking to the press **Credit**: Aimee Reynolds for *Impetus*.

by Freya Ward at St. George’s Park for Impetus with exclusive photography from Aimee Reynolds (10/7/24).

England are preparing to face Ireland and Sweden in the final two games of their UEFA EURO qualifying group stage. Alessia Russo described the upcoming fixtures as “two massive games.”

The squad must bring their A-game to secure automatic qualification, which the team has made clear they are striving for, Russo touched on the extremely “high standards,” that the squad have for themselves and that automatic qualification is “ultimately the goal.”

The media were able to get a glimpse into training, where we witnessed Anna Moorhouse’s first session with the squad, the 29-year-old Orlando Pride number one told us she was brought to tears when she received the call from Sarina Wiegman.

Moorhouse is a brilliant addition to England’s GK union, if her current domestic form is anything to go by she currently has seven clean sheets in the National Women’s Soccer League, more than any other goalkeeper in the league.

Currently, the Lionesses sit third in their group with seven points, equal with Sweden, however, its goal difference keeping them from sitting in one of the sought-after automatic qualification spots. England face the Republic of Ireland on Friday at Carrow Road, Norwich, where they will be hoping to keep Ireland’s total points at zero, to give themselves the best chance of finishing in the top two to avoid two rounds of play-offs.

Avoiding need to play competitive games during the international windows in which those play-off rounds for finishing third would involve the would allow the team more time to rest and recover, which is a huge focus for the team after a busy two years with back-to-back major tournaments.

Lionesses boss Wiegman has emphasised the importance of giving her players time to step away from the pitch, to ensure their top performance on the it, and six points out of six over the coming days would go a long way towards ensuring that could happen.

For more updates from inside of the England camp make sure that you are following Impetus on all social media platforms, where our team will be uploading a variety of exclusive content from England’s media events including an exclusive TikTok with Esme Morgan over the coming days.

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Aimee Reynolds photo gallery from the England camp at St. Georges’ Park for Impetus

Emily Dinsdale on the upward trajectory at UWA-Nedlands

In this week’s ‘WA On Wednesday’ feature, Ben Gilby speaks to UWA-Nedlands’ Emily Dinsdale about her career which has seen her progress from the club’s amateur team to now playing a starring role for the NPLW WA’s newest side for the 2024 season (10/7/24).

Above: Emily Dinsdale (green shirt) in action for UWA-Nedlands. Photo supplied to Impetus by: UWA-Nedlands.

Emily Dinsdale is an example of what can happen when you keep plugging away and improving your game over a number of years. In six years at UWA-Nedlands, she has moved up through the levels and is now a hugely impressive performer as captain of the club in their first-ever NPLW season.

Looking back over her time at the club, Dinsdale said: “I have quietly progressed at UWA Nedlands from the Women’s Amateurs team, then to State League, and I was very excited to take on the new challenge as captain in our first NPLW team. I’ve played with some of the girls in this team for many years now, and love the team bond and culture we have this season.”

However, the player’s footballing story goes back a lot longer than her time at UWA-Nedlands, as she takes up the story. “I started playing football 20 years ago at Wembley Downs Soccer Club, as the only girl in a team of all boys.

**Above:** Emily Dinsdale (green shirt) involved in an aerial challenge last season. **Photo supplied to *Impetus* by:** UWA-Nedlands.

“In the last 20 years, I haven’t gone a single year without playing soccer. I played at WDSC for 13 years, then for a year at Monash University in Melbourne, before coming to UWA-Nedlands. As a player I love to work with space down the wing, taking players on and setting up goals. I enjoy using quick footwork and speed to create scoring opportunities for the forward team. As a captain, I aim to lead by example by putting in consistent effort at training and giving 100% to every challenge in games.”

Those efforts and challenges have stepped up another notch this year as the club’s third-place finish in the 2023 State League Division One enabled them to be considered for the first-ever promotion spot into the NPLW WA. It was a place they were awarded to replace Curtin University, who finished bottom last season. Dinsdale reflected on last season which saw the club involved in a three-way battle with Hamersley United and Perth AFC for top spot.

“At the beginning of the year, we set the goals of winning the Night Series, and the State League title. To have won the Night Series after losing Grand Finals the two years prior was a huge highlight. Unfortunately with regards to the State League season, we didn’t finish up quite where we were hoping to.

“Hamersley United and Perth AFC always put up strong fights and it was great to have that challenge. We always knew coming into those games that we would be up against physically strong and experienced players. After coming up short in some of those key games last season, we’re determined to capitalise on our chances this season.

“Finding out about our promotion to the NPLW was hugely exciting, not just for our first team but also for the club as a whole. Multiple people in the club have put so much time and energy into getting us to this point, so we’re thrilled to be given this opportunity.

“It’s exciting to have a pathway for the young girls at the club to be able to strive towards a high level of performance.”
Emily Dinsdale on the impact that promotion to the NPLW WA can have on the whole club.

The higher levels of performance required meant that pre-season training and preparations were on a whole new level to what the players had previously experienced at the club. It was part of a whole culture of stepping up the challenge and expectations to give the team the best possible chance of a competitive NPL season.

“I think moving up into the NPL, and stepping in as captain this year, are definitely the biggest challenges I’ve faced as a footballer. Coming up against teams with lots of experience, as a team with only one player with NPL experience is a massive challenge.

“Pre-season training was definitely more intensive than in previous seasons. We completed trials in November, and have been training three to four days per week since then. It’s felt like a very long pre-season so there was lots of nervous energy and adrenaline coming into our first games. It was great to see so many of the same faces back from last season, and the pre-season preparation has allowed us to build some really strong relationships with our new recruits.

“I feel that the hard work we’ve done in pre-season, as well as finding our feet in Night Series, have given myself and the whole team some valuable confidence. I know we will continue to step up to the challenge this season and prove we belong in this league.”

The team have definitely stepped up to the challenge so far. They were place in a fiendishly tough NPLW Night Series group with Perth RedStar, Hyundai NTC, and Balcatta Etna to kick things off – and they held their heads high, and Dinsdale is extremely proud of her team’s pre-season run.

**Above:** Calm in possession – Emily Dinsdale. **Photo supplied to *Impetus* by:** UWA-Nedlands.

“We always knew our draw in the Night Series was a tough group. Our first two games against RedStar and Balcatta were a baptism of fire, however despite the losses we definitely didn’t come away from them feeling deflated. Scoring three unanswered goals in the first half of our game against NTC was a huge positive, and gave us some good confidence going forward. Obviously, it was disappointing to then come away with a draw, but I think overall we came away from the Night Series with optimism about the season ahead.”

Those three round-robin matches prepared the team for the opening rounds of the NPLW WA. The historic first game saw Hyundai NTC make the trip to the UWA Sports Park, and whilst the visitors had the lion’s share of possession and territory, Dinsdale’s side were well-organised, well disciplined, showing potential in attack and quality at the back in the shape of goalkeeper Morgan Springer.

UWA-Nedlands have continued to grow from then and have been competitive. Dinsdale and her team mates have able to pick up results against teams around them in the table to currently stand three points above bottom-side Murdoch University Melville, and have a game in hand on them.

“I feel individually, and as a team, we’re continuing to improve every week. The confidence in individuals and the link-ups between players are becoming stronger every training session and game. We’ve been gradually finding our rhythm and cohesion on the field. I think we have a good bit of momentum and confidence…and we’ll be a force not to be underestimated.

“As a team, we’re realistic about our goals, and what we want to achieve. Obviously, the main aim is to retain our spot in the NPLW, but we would ideally like to come out mid-table at the end of the season. We want to prove that although we might be coming in as under-dogs we’re not to be under-estimated, and we will put up a strong fight at this level.

“Personally, my aim is to work hard on and off the pitch, and put in 100% on game day to be a role model to the team, and young girls coming through the club. I want to build a great team and club culture that attracts and retains players.”

Dinsdale has certainly done that. A hugely consistent performer for her side leading by example, she made the shortlist for Impetus‘ NPLW WA Player of the Month awards for May. As well as being a key link-up player that drives her team forward, the UWA-Nedlands captain has been in among the goals and assists this season.

Emily Dinsdale and UWA-Nedlands have been an excellent addition to the NPLW WA this season – and they have the confidence and ability to produce the results to ensure their stay in the competition lasts beyond this year.

**Above:** Leading by example as UWA-Nedlands’ first NPLW WA captain. **Photo supplied to *Impetus* by:** UWA-Nedlands.

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Newcastle Jets re-sign Claudia Cicco

Above: Claudia Cicco in action for the Young Matildas. Image: Tiff Williams, Football Australia.

By Ryan Miller-Woods (10/7/24).

After playing an important role in Newcastle Jets’ success last season, Young Matildas defender Claudia Cicco has re-signed with the club m until the end of the 2025/26 season.

Cicco made a total of 18 appearances for the Jets last season, starting 17 times and playing a total of 1526 minutes. For her second season in the league and her first with Newcastle, Cicco was allowed her to play some of her best football.

As a reward for her consistently strong performances, the player was called up to the Young Matildas squad for the 2024 AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup in Uzbekistan in March. Cicco made three appearances and scored in Australia’s final group stage match against Chinese Taipei as the Young Matildas qualified for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia by finishing third.

Cicco’s versatility is something that really benefits her and her team, where not only can she play in the defence but when required can also be used as a winger or as a striker.

An example of how Cicco’s speed can be impactful was during the opening match of Australia’s campaign at the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup against South Korea where her and Jets teammate Lara Gooch brought reinvigorated energy to the second half of that match.

Cicco’s new deal at the Jets will ensure that she can continue her growth alongside players such as club captain Cassidy Davis who is an excellent influence on younger players within the squad.

Speaking about her new contract, Cicco said, “I’m really excited and grateful to re-sign with the Jets again. I love Newcastle and am looking forward to the growth of the club. I can’t wait to get back into training, to improve each day under Ryan Campbell’s guidance. Newcastle has become my home away from home and I love playing for our passionate fans.”

Head Coach Ryan Campbell spoke of the importance of retaining a player of Cicco’s potential saying, “Re-signing Claudia was a key goal of mine in order to continue what we have been building from last season. Her pace and defensive ability are second to none and she is developing nicely as an attacking fullback. I am looking forward to working more with Claudia to help her continue to become an even more effective player.”

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