Canberra United 2025/26 Match Program - Issue 1

UNITED

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY MAGAZINE

SEASON 2025/26 ISSUE #1

SUNDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2025

COACHES COMMENTS Welcome back to McKellar Park for Season 18 of the Ninja ALeague! I am incredibly excited to be back at the helm for my second season as Head Coach of Canberra United. Last season was an incredible experience for me and the entire squad, and we will all have learnt much from the many highs and lows of the campaign.

We’ve been able to retain a good portion of last season’s squad, and with some exciting new additions added to the mix, we’ve got what will undoubtedly be a very competitive squad.

I can guarantee that we will be when our players that pulls on the famous green jersey this season, they will leave nothing on the pitch at the end of ninety-plus minutes.

We aren’t going to go away from that Canberra style of football where we wear our hearts on our sleeves, we’re always going to work hard. Expect us to have much more possession this season though, and hopefully with a couple of extra added layers, we’ll show the opposing clubs a different picture, and give them a difficult opponent to face.

I extend our usual warm welcome to the players, staff, and any travelling supporters of today’s visitors, Newcastle Jets, and hope they have a good day here in Canberra. That hospitality does, of course, end once we enter the field of play where myself, all our players and dedicated staff, are determined to bring home the three points to kick off the new campaign in the best way possible.

Enjoy the game!

Head Coach, Antoni Jagarinec

CLUB HONOURS BOARD PREMIERS (3) 2011/12, 2013/14, 2016/17 CHAMPIONS (2) 2011/12, 2014

VISITNG TODAY: NEWCASTLE JETS 2024/25 was a disappointing season for the Jets, with the Novocastrians ending the campaign second from bottom in 11th. The off-season has brought plenty of change to the club. Eight players have departed the club, along with Head Coach Ryan Campbell stepping down from his role. A core element of the squad has remained, to be joined by first-time ALW Head Coach, Stephen Hoyle.

The Jets are looking to recover from last season’s underwhelming performance of five wins and five draws, which saw them narrowly avoid the wooden spoon in 11th place. Under the guidance of their new head coach, the side has looked across the ditch to bolster their squad this season. Goalkeeper Anna Leat and Striker Kelli Brown have both represented the Football Ferns, while Olivia Page, and Defender Charlotte Lancaster have appearances for New Zealand’s U-20s team.

Despite their lack of success in the A-League, the Jets have proven time and time again that they are a side that you simply cannot underestimate. United have not beaten the Jets since the 2022/23 season, with three draws and a loss since then. Expect a highly charged, and tough, encounter today.

FACT FILE FOUNDED: 2008 NICKNAME: THE JETS HOME GROUND: NO.2 SPORTSGROUND, MCDONALD JONES STADIUM HEAD COACH: STEPHEN HOYLE 24/25 POS: 11TH 24/25 TOP SCORERS: SHERIDAN GALLAGHER & DEVEN JACKSON (6)

MATCH ACTION: SEASON LAUNCH FRIENDLY Canberra United celebrated their season launch with a 2-0 win over an Invitational All-Stars team in front of a strong McKellar Park crowd. The Invitational All-Stars, made up of Canberra’s premier Women’s NPL talent, did well to prevent a Pre-Season United from running away with the game, with All-Star Goalkeeper Janet King, on loan from Canberra United, making several key saves.

United ran out 2-0 winners in the end, with the All-Stars squad providing a tough opponent for the A-League side. New signings Emma Hawkins and Keira Bobbin got the goals for United much to the delight of the faithful United supporters in attendance. Overall, United have enjoyed a strong preseason, with a 3-2 win over the Western Sydney Wanderers in their final pre-season fixture in Sydney.

LAST TIME THEY VISITED Newcastle Jets last visited McKellar Park in Round 8 of the 2024/25 Ninja A-League Women’s Season, on Sunday 29 December. A warm Sunday afternoon, much like today, greeted the McKellar Park faithful as both sides traded blows in an end-to-end encounter, with some neat and tidy football on display.

Both keepers were in great form throughout the match, as Sally James marshalled the United defence well, and kept out what was a strong Jets attack. The diminutive Tiahna Robertson was equally good for the visitors. Despite a host of chances for the team in Green, the match finished scoreless.

ON THE STAGE TODAY CANBERRA UNITED V NEWCASTLE JETS

1. Sally JAMES 2. Alex MCKENZIE 5. Jazmin WARDLOW 6. Josie AULICINO 7. Emma HAWKINS 8. Sasha GROVE 9. Kiara DE DOMIZIO 10. Mary STANIC-FLOODY 11. Emma ROBERS 12. Hayley TAYLOR-YOUNG 13. Sofia CHRISTOPHERSON 16. Keira BOBBIN 18. Coco MAJSTOROVIC 19. Sienna DALE 20. Lillian SKELLY 23. Michelle HEYMAN (C) 25. Darcey MALONE 26. Janet KING 27. Eliza EVANS 28. Tegan BERTOLISSIO 32. Bethany GORDON 33. Nanako SASAKI 44. Ava BRIEDIS

2. Josie WILSON 3. Claudia CICCO 4. Natasha PRIOR 5. Olivia PAGE 6. Cassidy DAVIS 7. India BREIER 8. Emma DUNDAS 9. Haley JOHNSON 10. Elizabeth COPUS-BROWN 11. Charlotte LANCASTER 12. Georgia RITCHIE 13. Lauren ALLAN 14. Melina AYRES 15. Emma BATES 18. Sophie HOBAN 23. Zoe KARIPIDIS 24. Anna LEAT 26. Josie ALLAN 30. Alexis COLLINS 32. Claire ADAMS 44. Kelli BROWN 50. Ally BOERTJE

Head Coach: Antoni JAGARINEC

Head Coach: Stephen HOYLE