Pre-season commences this Wednesday and Brisbane Roar’s Ninja A-League Women’s squad is taking shape with several new and exciting arrivals joining the club ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Head Coach, Alex Smith, is overseeing his first transfer window ahead of his first full season in charge as he shapes the squad for an exciting upcoming campaign, bringing in eight new faces so far.
Melbourne City Premiership winner Leia Varley, UCLA fullback Emily Pringle, Junior Matildas centre back Isabela Hoyos, and Gold Coast United powerhouse Momo Hayashi have been recruited to bolster the sides defensive stocks.
Adding further strength to the midfield is returning Queenslander, Zara Kruger and Brisbane City Premiership and Championship winner Laini Freier who is sure to form a devastating pairing with her twin sister Sharn.
In the front line, the club has welcomed a trio of forwards with international experience to complement Matildas duo Tameka Yallop and Sharn Freier in Singaporean Danelle Tan, Bulgarian Evdokia Popadinova and Young Matildas striker Tanaye Morris.
Sharn Freier, Keeley Richards, Alicia Woods, Holly McQueen, Deborah-Anne De La Harpe and Emma Gibbon have all re-signed for the 2024/25 season while Chelsea Blissett, Tamar Levin, Ruby Cuthbert, Tameka Yallop, Kijah Stephenson, Mariel Hecher and Grace Kuilamu all remain under contract for the upcoming campaign.
Smith, who’s side will play their first pre-season match on October 5 against the Queensland State Team, said:
“There has been an enormous amount of work done this off season, to re-energise and re-build our squad,” Smith said.
“I am happy with the way the squad has taken shape, we have managed to bring in some very exciting players and every player we have brought in fits into our playing style.
“Our recruitment has been based around key pillars, merging good characters with a clear way of playing to excite our fan base by dominating the ball. I am very much looking forward to a pre-season to prepare for the season.”
Brisbane Roar also wish to confirm the departures of Isabella Shuttleworth, Jenna McCormick, Teagan Thompson, Sarah O’Donoghue, Ashlee Brodigan, Bonnie Davies, Hannah Holgersen and Rebecca Kirkup.
Roar wish all departing players the very best for their futures and thank them for their contribution at the club.
The 2024/25 Ninja A-League Women season dates have been confirmed, with Roar set to kick off their campaign with an away fixture against Canberra United at McKellar Park on Saturday, 2 November.
2024/25 Brisbane Roar Ninja A-League Women’s Squad:
Goalkeepers: 1. Keeley RICHARDS, 99. Emma GIBBON
Defenders: 2. Leia VARLEY, 3. Deborah-Anne DE LA HARPE, 6. Holly MCQUEEN, 7. Momo HAYASHI, 16. Chelsea BLISSETT, 18. Emily PRINGLE, 22. Ruby CUTHBERT, 23. Isabela HOYOS
Midfielders: 12. Tamar LEVIN, 13. Tameka YALLOP, 14. Zara KRUGER, 19. Laini FREIER, 32. Alicia WOODS
Forwards: 4. Kijah STEPHENSON, 8. Mariel HECHER, 9. Danelle TAN, 10. Grace KUILAMU, 11. Sharn FREIER, 17. Evdokia POPADINOVA, 20. Tanaye MORRIS
