Jessika Jayne Nash (born 5 October 2004) is an Australian soccer player who plays for Central Coast Mariners in the A-League Women. She has previously played for Canberra United, Sydney FC, and Melbourne Victory.
 Nash playing for Melbourne Victory in December 2023 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jessika Jayne Nash[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 5 October 2004[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Australia | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Central Coast Mariners | ||
| Youth career | |||
| FNSW Institute | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2020–2021 | Canberra United | 13 | (0) |
| 2021–2022 | Sydney FC | 11 | (0) |
| 2022 | Blacktown Spartans | 8 | (0) |
| 2022–2024 | Melbourne Victory | 34 | (0) |
| 2024– | Central Coast Mariners | 0 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2018–2021 | Australia U17 | 11 | (0) |
| 2022– | Australia U20 | 20 | (1) |
| 2022– | Australia U23 | 1 | (0) |
| 2021– | Australia | 1 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 27 May 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 8 September 2024 | |||
Early life
editNash grew up in New South Wales and played for FNSW Institute. Nash started playing football at the age of four. Nash's family was supportive of her career choice from a young age. Three generations of her family travelled to watch her play at the 2019 AFC U-16 Women's Championship.[3] Nash's father, Don, was a cricketer for NSW Blues.[4]
Nash attended Hills Sports High School, completing her studies in 2022.[5]
Club career
editCanberra United
editOn 20 October 2020, Nash signed for Canberra United for the 2020–21 W-League season, together with Clare Hunt.[6] On 30 December 2020, Nash made her W-League debut against Adelaide United in a 4–3 victory for Canberra. Nash started the match playing the full 90 minutes, with Adelaide taking a 2–0 lead during the match, only for Canberra United to strike back courtesy of a Michelle Heyman hat trick and a Laura Hughes stoppage time winner.[7] Heyman praised Nash for her performance.[8] After helping Canberra United qualify for the finals series with an unbeaten streak in March, Nash was nominated for the Young Footballer of the Year Award.[9]
Sydney FC
editIn September 2021, Nash joined Sydney FC ahead of the 2021–22 A-League Women season, together with Sarah Hunter, looking to progress her career.[10]
Melbourne Victory
editIn September 2022, Nash joined Melbourne Victory ahead of the 2022–23 A-League Women season.[11] In August 2024, it was announced Nash wouldn't return to the club for the 2024–25 A-League Women season.[12]
Central Coast Mariners
editFollowing her departure from Melbourne Victory, Nash joined Central Coast Mariners.[13]
International career
editAlthough the youngest member of the squad, Nash was selected as captain of the Junior Matildas, resulting in Nash being a pivotal part of the team during both 2019 AFC U-16 Women's Championship qualification and final tournament. Nash made her Junior Matildas debut on 17 September 2018, playing 90 minutes in an 11–0 victory against Palestine. She featured during six matches of qualification and she started all five games in the final tournament, playing 424 minutes.[14][15]
References
edit- ^ "Squad List, FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Costa Rica 2022: Australia (AUS)" (PDF). FIFA. 3 August 2022. p. 1. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
- ^ "Jessika Nash – Soccerway". Soccerway. 12 January 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
- ^ "Football a family affair for Australia's Nash". the-afc.com. 20 September 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- ^ Houghton, Nick (25 September 2015). "Junior Sport Star Jessika Nash a natural champion". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- ^ Nash, Jessika. "Graduation, class of 22 🥰". Instagram. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
- ^ "Hunt and Nash sign with Canberra United". Canberra United. 20 October 2020.
- ^ "Heyman's hat-trick heroics as Canberra edge Adelaide in seven-goal thriller". W-League. 30 December 2020. Archived from the original on 14 March 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
- ^ Bertoldo, Lucie; Helmers, Caden (2 January 2021). "Michelle Heyman praises Canberra United debutant Jessika Nash". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- ^ Comito, Matthew (16 April 2021). "Jessika Nash named March Nominee for the Young Footballer of the Year". W-League. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
- ^ "Sydney FC Sign Young Duo". Sydney FC. 3 September 2021.
- ^ "Melbourne Victory signs Jessika Nash". Melbourne Victory. 5 September 2022.
- ^ "Melbourne Victory announces returning A-League Women's players". Melbourne Victory. 26 August 2024.
The Club can also confirm that Jess Nash, Kurea Okino, Tori Hansen, Jamilla Rankin and Miranda Templeman will not return to the Club for the 2024/25 season.
- ^ "Central Coast Mariners sign Young Matildas captain Jessika Nash". Central Coast Mariners. 25 September 2024.
- ^ "Rae Dower selects Junior Matildas squad for qualifiers". Beyond 90. 11 September 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
- ^ "AFC U-16 Women's Championship - Junior Matildas Squad". Matildas.com.au. 4 September 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
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