Number 6 for Newcastle Jets Women is reliable and versatile midfielder, Cassidy Davis.
At the age of 18 Davis signed with the Jets for their 2013/14 season, and has proven herself to be a consistent and integral player to the squad year after year.
“It was a tough season, the team was not as strong,” Davis said of Jets Women’s 13/14 campaign. “We had a lot of local girls and we struggled a bit. I didn’t start until the third round after Grace Macintyre did her knee.”
“I was very nervous. I still get nervous but not as near as nervous as what I did back then,” she said.
Unlike many of her Jets teammates and Westfield W-League opponents, Davis did not begin playing football at a young age.
First a keen netball player, it wasn’t until Davis was 12 that she decided to switch codes.
She has never looked back.
“My Dad has been involved in soccer for years and I just started playing because of him,” she said.
“He was the Director of Football at Macquarie when I started, so he was overseeing me for a fair few years and has always been there to help me out.”
This resulted in dual registration with Macquarie Football Academy and Warners Bay Football Club in her first year of signing up to the game.
Davis continued to play with Macquarie Football Academy until 2007 until selections for the Emerging Athletes Program became available in 2008.
In 2011, Davis was selected for Northern NSW Institute of Sport (NNSWIS) and believes that her time there improved her gameplay and encouraged her to push herself further in her football career.
In 2013, Davis played her first season with Lake Macquarie in the Women’s Premier League which proved to be a breakthrough year for her as she was also picked up by Newcastle Jets to play her first season in the Westfield W-League.
“I like playing for my hometown, and representing my hometown,” she said.
“I love that my family and friends can come to support and ‘Deansy’ (Craig Deans) is a great coach – the environment and the community is the best in Newcastle!”
Deans has continuously been impressed by the commitment and skill of Davis since he began coaching the squad in 2015.
“When I took over at the start of last year, I didn’t know too much about all of the girls, so I got them back to give them an opportunity for the team,” Deans said.
“Cass stood out from the get-go in terms of attitude and wanting to get better and improve.”
“Last year Cass continued to work really hard, and has since become one of the most valuable players in the squad,” he said.
OFF THE FIELD:
Davis is currently in her second year of a Bachelor of Primary Education at the University of Newcastle.
As Davis is passionate about both football and teaching, she spent her off-season from the Jets coaching the under 18s Warners Bay team competing in the Women’s Premier League, and two development squads at New Lambton Football Club.
When Davis is away from football she enjoys quality time with her family and friends, likes to indulge in a bit of shopping, and relaxation at the beach!
