Brisbane Roar is excited to announce the re-signing of goalkeeper Mia Bailey for the 2022/23 Liberty A-League season.
The 18-year-old returns to the Roar on a scholarship contract for her second season in orange and black.
Bailey comes into the 2022/23 season off the back of making her professional debut last season in a 4-2 win over Melbourne Victory.
“I was really proud of last season, especially in the Melbourne Victory game. I didn’t know that I was playing until a few days before, but the first person I called was my Mum and we were all so excited,” she recalled.
A Cairns local and JCU Strikers junior, Bailey has been a member of the QAS squad since 2019 where she worked with Garrath McPherson to develop her game, making her NPL debut in that same year as a 15-year-old.
Since breaking into the first team, Bailey has gone on to make 55 appearances for the QAS across the NPL and Women’s Super Cup, establishing herself as a mainstay in the local competition.
“Being a younger player in a younger team, it’s been quite challenging for us but it’s improved me as a player and a person, especially in terms of being a leader and bringing out that side of me as one of the older ones with the QAS,” she said.
In 2021, her performances were recognised as she won the Sue Monteath award for the QAS Player of the Year after a stellar campaign leading the way which also helped earn her first Roar contract.
Former winners of the award include her Roar teammates Holly McQueen and Jamilla Rankin.
After a promising start to her career, Bailey is looking forward to taking the next steps in her development over the coming Liberty A-League season in McPherson’s squad.
“Garrath has been my coach since Under 15’s and I really like working with him,” she said.
Having helped Bailey reach her goals since moving to Brisbane, McPherson is eager to see what the young shot-stopper is going to bring to the table.
“Having Mia sign on for her second A-League season is awesome,” he said.
“She made her debut at AAMI Park in exceptional circumstances last year after COVID-19 and injury provided her with an opportunity. She rose to the occasion and played her part in a win against Melbourne Victory.
“She is a product of our regional TSP programs having relocated from Cairns to join the Football Queensland NTC program when in high school.
“I look forward to seeing her grow even further throughout another A-League Women’s season.”
CONFIRMED ROAR 2022/23 LIBERTY A-LEAGUE SQUAD
Eash Norrie (Lions FC)
Hollie Palmer (Capalaba FC)
Shea Connors (APIA Leichhardt)
Larissa Crummer (Capalaba FC)
Sharn Freier (Moreton Bay United)
Mariel Hecher (Lions FC)
Holly McQueen (Future Matildas Program)
Katrina Gorry (Vittsjo GK)
Georgia Beaumont (Moreton Bay United)
Talitha Kramer (Capalaba FC)
Isabella Shuttleworth (Moreton Bay United)
Jamilla Rankin (Blacktown Spartans)
Annie Haffenden (Free Agent)
Kijah Stephenson (Brisbane City)
Mia Bailey (QAS)
