Four-time A-League Women’s Championship & two-time ALW Premiership striker Melina Ayres will be taking some time away from football. Melina, 25 years old, has been a mainstay of the A-League Women’s competition since she was 16 first with Melbourne City, then Melbourne Victory and last season with the Jets, often backing up her ALW commitments with NPLW and international club duties in the USA and Iceland.
“After nine consecutive back-to-back seasons, I have decided to take a break from football to reflect on the future. I’m not retiring, I intend to play again, and when I do, it will be with the Jets, as I have loved playing and living in Newcastle”.
Newcastle Jets GM Football, Ken Schembri said, “Life as a professional Women’s footballer is challenging, often combining ALW/NPLW seasons for year-round football.
We support Melina’s decision to take a break from football and will welcome her back with open arms when she is ready to rejoin our ALW program.
We are assisting Melina with her potential return to play and hope that Melina taking this break now, it will prolong her football career when it resumes.”
There is no timeframe for Melina’s return to the ALW competition.
The Newcastle Jets and Melina will not make any further comments and ask the media to respect all parties’ privacy during this time.
