It was a year of mixed results for our A-League Women’s team. Despite missing out on finals, they improved on last year’s points tally whilst playing less games, and pushed several player into youth and senior international set-ups.
Pre-Season:
Stephen Hoyle started his reign as Head Coach by bringing several new players to the Club. Anna Leat signed, having spent her youth in the American D1 College System, as well as spending time at West Ham and Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League. Melina Ayres returned after a year-long hiatus from professional football. Next to sign was Georgia Ritchie, with the then 17-year-old arriving after spending two years in the first team at Canberra United. Kelli Brown made the move from Perth Glory, whilst also having experience with Wellington Phoenix and the New Zealand National team. Olivia Page joined, having previously played for Sheffield United in England, as well as the New Zealand U17 and U20 national teams. Charlotte Lancaster signed from APIA Leichhardt in the NPL NSW, where she had been named in the 2025 Team of the Season. Haley Johnson was the final singing from outside the Club, joining from Northern Tigers in the NPL NSW where she had scored for fun. He also promoted Emma Bates and Zoe Karipidis from the Youth Team.
The first pre-season fixture occurred on the 20th of September, as an India Breier hat-trick powered a youthful Jets side to a 6-2 win over the Northern NSW All-Stars side. Alexis Collins also scored a brace in the fixture, whilst Youth Team player Makayla Clifton scored the final goal of the game.
A fixture against the Western Sydney Wanderers followed, as a Melina Ayres brace late in the game secured us a 4-2 win. Next up was a derby clash against the Central Coast Mariners. It was an end to end attacking affair, with both teams trading blows, but ultimately the Mariners won 3-4 at Hunter Sports Centre. Kelli Brown, Alexis Collins and Lauren Allan scoring for the Jets.
A-League:
November:
The season commenced with an away trip to the nations capital, where we took on Canberra United at McKellar Park. Michelle Heyman opened the scoring for Canberra United in the 14th minute, as she chased down a through ball before poking past the outstretched Anna Leat. Heyman had a chance to double the lead just two minutes later, but her header struck the post before bouncing clear. Charlotte Lancaster grabbed an equaliser in the 33rd minute. Goalkeeper Anna Leat, who was almost in the centre circle, sprayed a 50 yard pass over the top of the Canberra defence to the onrushing Lancaster. Charlotte plucked the ball out of the sky, before firing off the post into the back of the net. In the 89th minute, India Breier intercepted a loose back-pass before squeezing her shot past Sally James, giving the Jets a 2-1 win away from home to open the season.
A bye followed in round two, before a trip across the ditch to Wellington followed. A 4th minute strike from Brooke Nunn was cancelled out by a Melina Ayres penalty in the 23rd minute, with the game finishing at one goal apiece.
Round four finally saw the Jets return home to No. 2 Sportsground, as they lined up against the Western Sydney Wanderers. The game was also Lauren Allan’s 100th Newcastle Jets game, becoming the fourth Newcastle Jets Women’s player to hit a century of appearances. 26 minutes into the game, Lauren Allan scored the only goal of the game as Stephen Hoyle won his first game on home soil at the Jets.
December:
A forgettable trip down the M1 to Gosford followed, as the Jets tasted defeat under Stephen Hoyle for the first time, losing 1-4.
The poor derby result was quickly forgotten, thanks to a dominant 3-0 win over Brisbane Roar at No. 2 Sportsground, where Melina Ayres, Kelli Brown and India Breier found the back of the net.
Two back to back losses at home followed, with Melbourne Victory winning 1-3 and Canberra United 0-1, thanks to a 93rd minute winner from Dale
January:
The new year started with another two losses, away at Perth Glory and at home against the Central Coast Mariners, as our rivals retained the F3 Trophy for another season.
The four game losing streak was snapped away at Leichhardt Oval against Sydney FC. Cassar opened the scoring for Sydney FC in the 18th minute, before Melina Ayres equalised in the 29th minute. All seemed set for a draw, until Charlotte Lancaster rocketed home a strike from 30 yards out in the 91st minute, sending us back home with three points secured.
A trip to Melbourne City came next, with our A-League Women’s defeating Melbourne City for the first time ever, with Kelli Brown, Libby Copus-Brown and Charlotte Lancaster all getting on the scoresheet
A return to No. 2 Sportsground saw defeat to Adelaide United, as they came back from an early Cass Davis goal to win 1-2.
February:
A tough month followed in February, drawing one and losing three. A 1-5 loss to Wellington Phoenix at No. 2 Sportsground preceded a 1-2 loss away at Melbourne Victory. A 1-1 draw with the Western Sydney Wanderers was the highlight on the month, before another loss, this time at the hands of Perth Glory, ended the month.
March:
March began with an international break, with Kelli Brown and Charlotte Lancaster earning senior New Zealand call-ups, the latter making her debut. The team returned home with a 3-1 win over Sydney FC, with Melina Ayres scoring before Sophie Hoban bagged a brace.
Unfortunately, a 2-4 loss away to Brisbane Roar followed, before a 1-3 win away in Adelaide, as local Ally Boertje made her long-awaited professional debut.
April:
Just the one game in April, with our season coming to an end at Maitland Sports Ground, as we played host to Premiers Melbourne City. Melina Ayres opened the scoring in the 47th minute, before goals to Keane and Turner have City the three points.
Season Statistics:
| (Number) Player Name: | Total Appearances/ Goals |
| (2) Josie Wilson | 11/0 |
| (3) Claudia Cicco | 19/0 |
| (4) Natasha Prior | 20/1 |
| (5) Olivia Page | 9/0 |
| (6) Cassidy Davis | 9/1 |
| (7) India Breier | 12/2 |
| (8) Emma Dundas | 17/1 |
| (9) Haley Johnson | 7/0 |
| (10) Elizabeth Copus-Brown | 19/1 |
| (11) Charlotte Lancaster | 13/3 |
| (12) Georgia Ritchie | 6/0 |
| (13) Lauren Allan | 19/3 |
| (14) Melina Ayres | 20/8 |
| (15) Emma Bates | 12/0 |
| (18) Sophie Hoban | 16/3 |
| (23) Zoe Karipidis | 9/0 |
| (24) Anna Leat | 12/0 |
| (26) Josie Allan | 19/1 |
| (30) Alexis Collins | 13/0 |
| (32) Claire Adams | 9/0 |
| (35) Lily-Rose Dunbar | 0/0 |
| (44) Kelli Brown | 19/6 |
| (50) Ally Boertje | 2/0 |
