Touted as one of W-League's most highly rated young prospects, Courtney Newbon is making an impact on women's football, whilst placing emphasis on advocating for change.
With scores level, the 2019 NPLW grand final between Sydney University and Northern Tigers was going to a penalty shootout.
Step up, 19-year-old goalkeeper Courtney Newbon, a prolific shot stopper haling from the Sutherland Shire. With the game on the line, Newbon made two consecutive saves to become Sydney Universities' hero of the shootout.
With a club's weight held on her shoulders, Newbon was not phased by the pressure of the contest. Heckled by opposing fans, she was cool, calm and collected as she lifted the prestigious NPLW trophy.
In this moment of time, Courtney was a student studying a bachelor of science at the University of Sydney, the following year would see her make her debut with the Western Sydney Wanderers and receive two 'save of the week' titles.
As she leaves the Western Sydney Wanderers next season to join the Perth Glory, Newbon leaves behind an impressive start to her career and renews a desire for success, on and off the field.
Picking up football through her father, Newbon started playing at the age of ten and did not look back.
"I never new reps existed so making those teams and playing games all over NSW, thats the moment where I knew there was more to this"
Throughout her junior career, Newbon played representatively for the Sutherland Sharks Football Club and moved on to the Macarthur Rams in her later years.
Before making her debut with the Western Sydney Wanderers, she competed for Sydney Universities football club, The Students. In the 2019 football season, Newbon played 23 games for the team as they finished the season winning the league double.
On the back of her heroic performance in the grand final, Newbon would make her first appearance for the Wanderers, a university student working two jobs was about to make her debut at the age of 19.
"The first year was a really big moment for me where I realised I had made it to this level and I can hold my own."
Coming into a squad as a 19-year-old, Newbon sourced the experience and expertise off her compatriots within the Wanderers side. Spending most of her time around the goalkeepers unit, she was taken under the wing off experienced American goal-keeper, Abby Smith.
Abby Smith was the Wanderer's starting goalkeeper throughout the 2019/20 season. Smith was signed on loan by the Wanderers from the Utah Royals in the American football league. With a career in America playing for MLS teams such as the Utah Royals and the Boston Breakers, as well as being selected to play for USA, Smith had a plethora of footballing wisdom which she chose to pass on to young Newbon.
"I learnt a lot of her, she showed me the ropes and what it takes to be a professional footballer"
When Abby Smith was ruled out with a knee injury, Newbon would fill the spot in which her role model had played throughout the entire season. Newbon was selected to make her debut against the Perth Glory at Bankwest Stadium, a debut which she had dreamed off since the age of ten.
"I was super excited but super nervous at the same time, its the start of what you hope will be a long career so you want it to go well."
The Western Sydney Wanderers defeated the Perth Glory 3-1 as Newbon made two saves out of the three chances created by the Glory attack.
Having made her debut against the Perth Glory, only two seasons later, Newbon would find herself signed to the club. Perth Glory announced the signing of Newbon on the 20th of July for the 2021/22 season.
"The team last year struggled with different covid restrictions and not being able to travel, so this year it's basically a refresh."
After a season hindered by COVID-19, both Perth Glory's men and women's teams were impacted drastically by protocols, arguably more than most. This saw the women's side drop to the bottom of the ladder in a season which was put behind them.
In recent times, Perth has acted as a safe haven for Australian sporting codes such as the AFL due to the city being one of the least affected cities in the country. Now with a fresh start, the Glory women's team will look to refresh and start again, with the help of former Wanderer Newbon.
"My number one goal is to play as many games as I can"
Having only made eight appearances in her short career, Newbon's hopes to play as many games as she can whilst helping the team get back to its winning ways.
Linking back up with her former coach at the Sydney University, Alex Apakis, Newbon is highly regarded by the Perth Glory as "one of the most promising young 'keepers in the country".
But at the moment, if climate action was the Olympics, Australia isn’t winning gold, we're not making the finals, in fact, we don't even qualify. - The Cool Down
Along with building a career on the field as a goalkeeper, Newbon is establishing herself as a promoter for climate change.
Both 'Front Runners Athletes' and 'The Cool Down' are working towards accelerating Australia's decision making and action taking in regards to climate change. A movement which allows Australian athletes such as Pat Cummins, Lance Franklin and Nathan Cleary, the tools and foundations to create significant change.
Around 500 Athletes from around the country have joined the movement, using their platform to advocate and raise awareness of the issue.
"The more athletes involved, the more eyes we have to make a difference with our current climate"
As a nation signified by mate ship and camaraderie, Newbon hopes that by making these connections with Australian athletes around the country, Australia as a whole can initiate change and start improving its current climate.
Courtney Newbon looks ahead to a future in which she competes for her country whilst pursuing a career overseas, in particular playing for her favourite English football side, Manchester United.
A 20-year-old goal-keeper who seeks to make an impact on the field and off the field, Newbon holds all the attributes and traits to become a role model for the younger female generations who aspire to one day play in the W-League.
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