Brisbane Roar is delighted to confirm the appointment of Ayesha Norrie as captain and Katrina Gorry as vice-captain of the club’s Liberty A-League side for the 2021/22 season.
The new leaders were announced at a media conference at QSAC on Thursday, a day out from the team’s flight to Western Australia for the Round 1 game against Perth Glory on Saturday night.
Norrie, 24, inherits the armband from club legend Clare Polkinghorne and becomes just the third player to be named captain on a full-time basis after Polkinghorne and inaugural skipper Kate McShea.
The midfielder said she was proud to step into the role at the club where she made her professional debut as a teenager in 2013.
“Obviously it’s big shoes to fill but I’m hoping to do it my way as well and lead the team with ‘Mini’ alongside me,” Norrie said.
“I want to be someone that leads on and off the field. I feel like I’m an approachable person and I’m transparent with the girls as well.
“There are heaps of players here that have played together already, that know each other’s strengths, and it’s just about bringing everyone together and gelling.”
Gorry, now in her 10th season with the Roar, echoed the importance of continuing Polkinghorne’s leadership legacy.
“It means a lot to me,” Gorry said. “This is my 10th year and I’m really proud to be a born and bred Brisbane player.
“Like ‘Eash’ said, there are massive shoes to fill with Polks. But I’ve spent a lot of time with her (Polkinghorne) and watched her grow into the leader she is, so I’m hoping I can do the same.
“This is going to be a learning experience for me as well and I’m excited to help lead this group.”
Head Coach Garrath McPherson said he spoke to Polkinghorne prior to Thursday’s announcement of the new captain and vice-captain, who will be supported by a wider senior leadership group.
“We have a set of values and I asked the staff around who they felt would be the right person to lead that leadership group and have the experience and confidence to have open and frank conversations about where we’re going,” McPherson said.
“And then I spoke to Clare after that staff input.
“I spoke to her on the phone around the decision, picked her brain and was really pleased to hear that the two we have announced today were front of mind for her when asked about who could lead the team and the club moving forward.”
Norrie will lead the team out for the first time at Macedonia Park in Perth this Saturday, before the Roar return home to host the same opposition at the Gold Coast Croatian Sports Centre on Friday, 10 December.
