Brisbane Roar is delighted to announce the return of Ayesha Norrie as its Liberty A-League Captain ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Norrie made her top-flight debut as a 16-year-old in November 2013 for the Brisbane Roar, playing alongside the likes of Clare Polkinghorne, Katrina Gorry, Tameka Yallop and Kim Carroll.
The 26-year-old was awarded Player of the Year for the 2021/22 season and was part of the Premiership-winning team in 2017.
She has made a total of 56 appearances for Brisbane and scored three goals in her time at the club so far.
Heading into her third year in the captaincy role, Norrie is raring to go for the upcoming season and looks forward to a positive and successful season.
“I’m very excited, there will be some new faces as well as some old faces so I’m excited to get back with the girls and get started,” Norrie said.
“It’s still a learning curve, but as the years go on, I do feel more confident and there’s always skills and knowledge that I can pass on to the team,” she added.
The midfielder is excited to get pre-season underway to begin gelling as a team and mentor the younger players.
“That’s the main goal. Where I can help create a positive environment and inspire younger girls coming through the ranks, I want to be that person,” Norrie said.
“It’s going to be good to get gelling in pre-season, we’ve been playing together for a while now with the core group. It’s always good to mix up the environment with both younger and more experienced players.”
“I want us to be in top four contention for finals, and personally I just want to be the best footballer I can be to help the others.”
Head Coach Garrath McPherson is very pleased to have Norrie back for another season as captain after seeing her development as a leader and player over the last few years.
“I am happy to have her back and work side-by-side with her in driving the team to the goals that we want to achieve,” McPherson said.
“Last year particularly and this year already, she’s shown a sense of responsibility and ownership of the team and our goals. She’s always had a very caring and empathetic nature; the players love her for that. She will be an even better leader this year,” he added.
“She’s a role model in everything she does. She’s such a wonderful footballer, technically in midfield, she’s strong and powerful and always very calm as well. She’s got a great blend of qualities for a central defensive midfielder.”
