At just 21, Emma Bates already has an impressive footballing résumé, having spent several years in the Newcastle Jets InfraBuild academy, as well as a stint in the USA where she played college ‘soccer’ and semi-professional football.
Emma Bates started her footballing career on the Central Coast, with Kanwal Rovers.
“My two older brothers were already playing for Kanwal when I made the switch from netball. I used to enjoy having a kick about at half time of my brothers’ games and that’s when I decided football was for me!”
After two seasons at Kanwal, Emma spent a year with the Central Coast Mariners Academy U12 SAP boys team, before making the move to the better side of the F3, where she then spent the next five years. The highlight of her first stint with the Jets Academy?
“I enjoyed 5 years with the Jets Academy, the highlight was winning the U15 National Championships in 2018. I was lucky enough to also compete in the Dallas International Girls Cup in 2017 with the Jets. It was after this tournament that I decided I wanted to follow the US college pathway.”
Before heading to the United States, Emma spent two seasons playing senior football, one with Adamstown Rosebuds and another with Northern Tigers in the NSW NPL.
“College was a great experience. To move across the world at 18 was definitely scary but also very exciting. I was extremely fortunate to get a scholarship, firstly at the University of Louisiana and then at Texas A&M Corpus Christi who both compete in the NCAA Division 1. It was a great opportunity to become independent away from home, to travel and to experience a different football culture all while getting an education – I majored in Sports Management. More importantly I met some great people and made lifelong friends along the way. It was an experience which taught me a lot on and off the field.”
“The most noticeable difference for me was the style of play. Unlike here in Australia where we play a more technical possession based game, the US is more direct and physical with a focus on athleticism. Average squad sizes are between 28-30 with lots of in game rotation which took a little getting used to. It’s hard to talk about US college without mentioning the facilities. Louisiana for example had an American Football team, which generally means a bigger budget. Other sports, including ‘soccer’, benefitted from this and so we had access to amazing facilities which you would expect of professional teams.”
“One of the most enjoyable aspects of playing college football was the travel to away games which were often interstate and multi day trips by air, which allowed us to visit many US states and cities. I will always be grateful for the 3 years I spent in the US, particularly Louisiana where I spent the majority of my time. I am proud to call myself a Ragin Cajun!”
Whilst playing in the US, Emma also spent two of her summer breaks from college playing semi-professional football. She spent a season each with the San Antonio Athenians in Texas, as well as Eagle FC in Pennsylvania, where she won the Mid Atlantic Division 1 title.
Emma was rewarded with a Junior Matilda’s call-up in 2019. She participated in a preparation camp for the 2019 U16s AFC Women’s Championship. The camp took place on the Gold Coast.
“It was great to have the chance to train with some of the best players from around the country both at the camps and also in a few trial matches. It was a very competitive and professional environment and I was proud to have been invited into the national program. We were well represented that year with three Newcastle Jets players selected for the AFC Championships, including Kirsty Fenton now at Sydney FC.”
Emma has set herself the goal of being the best player she can be, as well as helping the Academy 1st Grade side to finish as high up the table as possible.
“I have always strived ‘to be the best I can be.’ My long term goal is to keep enjoying my football and to work hard towards playing at the highest level possible. I’ve loved my time being back at the Jets since returning from the US. The Academy environment is perhaps a bit different to some of the other teams in the NPL. Obviously the focus is on player development but the coaches are still keen on instilling a winning mentality and our goal is to be well placed on the ladder by the end of the season.
