Brisbane Roar Westfield W-League games record holder Clare Polkinghorne has returned for yet another season in Brisbane orange.
The proud Queenslander, who has been with the Club since the competition’s inaugural season, has signed on at the Club for a remarkable 12th campaign.
Just one of two two-time Julie Dolan Medal winners, the inspirational leader and long-serving Club captain will extend her role into the Roar Women coaching ranks this season, serving as both a player and an Assistant Coach for new Head Coach Jake Goodship.
“I’m really excited to be back for another season – we’re building a strong team here with plenty of experienced players which will be massive for us to improve on what we achieved last year,” Polkinghorne said.
“It [being] an Assistant Coach is a challenge I’m really looking forward to.
“I’m always looking to challenge myself in different areas and coaching could be something I look to do in the future. It’s a great opportunity to get some good experience working alongside a group of high-quality coaches.
“I’d love to help the next generation of players and when the opportunity came up it was one I was really excited to take.”
In 2017, she became the first player to reach 100 Westfield W-League appearances – a tally that now sits at 128.
Head Coach Jake Goodship says the two-time Championship and three-time Premiership winner is a huge addition for his squad.
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“Clare has been an incredible servant to the Brisbane Roar, the national team and female football in Australia and it’s terrific to have a player of her stature in our squad again,” Goodship said.
“She has been there for all of it in terms of Brisbane Roar in the [Westfield] W-League, and it’s great to have her experience in both the playing squad and coaching ranks this season.”
Polkinghorne is the 13th player, and fourth national team representative, to be locked in for the upcoming campaign.
She will be one of two foundation players in the Roar Women squad for the 2019-20 season, joining the returning Tameka Yallop.
BRISBANE ROAR WESTFIELD W-LEAGUE SQUAD UPDATE
Goalkeepers: Mackenzie ARNOLD, Georgina WORTH
Defenders: Claire FARRINGTON, Clare POLKINGHORNE, Natalie TATHEM, Kaitlyn TORPEY
Midfielders: Leah DAVIDSON, Katrina GORRY, Hollie PALMER
Attackers: Rylee BAISDEN, Indiah-Paige RILEY, Allira TOBY, Tameka YALLOP
