Natasha Rigby is a former Australian soccer player who played for Perth Glory in the A-League Women.
.jpg) Rigby playing for Perth Glory in 2018 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Natasha Rigby | ||
| Date of birth | 24 January 1993 | ||
| Place of birth | Margaret River, Australia | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2008–10 | Western Australia U16 | ||
| University of Western Australia | |||
| Queens Park SC | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2016–2024 | Perth Glory | 117 | (2) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 31 March 2024 (UTC) | |||
Early life edit
Rigby grew up in Margaret River, a small town south of Perth. There was no girls' soccer team, and she played with the boys.[1] Between the ages of 15 and 17, Rigby represented Western Australia in the National Youth Championships.[2][3]
At age 18, Rigby moved to Perth to study sports science at the University of Western Australia, where she also played in the state league.[4]
Club career edit
Rigby was given an opportunity with the Glory for the 2016–17 W-League season, after being scouted following a pre-season friendly game between a select Western Australian state team and Perth Glory in 2015.[5][2] She started as a squad member, and worked her way on to the bench and finally into the starting team.[6]
Rigby played a role in Glory's 2016–17 run to the grand final, which they lost to Melbourne City.[6][7]
Following Sam Kerr's move from Perth to Europe on the eve of the 2019–20 season, Rigby took over the role of captain.[8] She currently holds the longest active streak of any sole captain in the A-League Women, having been captain for five consecutive seasons.[3]
Rigby became only the third player to reach 100 appearaces for Perth Glory Women on 18 November 2023, starting in a 2–2 draw against Newcastle Jets.[4][9]
Rigby announced her retirement from professional football on 3 May 2024, marking 117 consecutive appearances for Perth Glory.[10]
Personal life edit
For the 2020–21 W-League, the national competition was heavily disrupted due to travel restrictions and quarantine requirements caused by COVID-19, as well as the exodus of many top level Australian players to the FA Women's Super League. Rigby was required to manage her commitment to full time employment as a prison officer at a women's prison with her footballing career.[11] Coinciding with her retirement from playing in 2024, Rigby was appointed to Football West as manager of Female Football and Advocacy.[10]
Beyond football, Rigby engages in charitable work to improve literacy amongst Indigenous Australians, and supports mental health initiatives in the community.[12]
Rigby is currently in a relationship with AFLW player Angelique Stannett, with whom they announced their engagement in February 2023.[13]
References edit
- ^ "Extra Time: Rigby on the 'respectful fear' Kerr commands". Matildas. 24 November 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
- ^ a b "Inspiring Stories: Natasha Rigby". www.sen.com.au. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
- ^ a b "An A-Leagues trial every kid needs to read about created a legend who 'shouldn't even be here'". A-Leagues. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
- ^ a b Morgan, Gareth (17 November 2023). "Glory Week Episode #4... with Tash Rigby". Perth Glory. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
- ^ "Natasha Rigby". Perth Glory FC. 31 July 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
- ^ a b "Locals play their part in Perth Glory's grand final drive". The Women's Game. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
- ^ "Rigby stoked with AFLW's coinciding attention". FTBL. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
- ^ "Rigby confirmed as new Glory skipper". Perth Glory FC. 14 November 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
- ^ Writers, Aleagues com au. "Perth Glory vs Melbourne Victory, A-League Women, 18th November 2023". A-Leagues. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
- ^ a b Comito, Matthew (2 May 2024). "A legend retires: Glory captain calls time in emotional farewell as exciting new role presents". A-Leagues. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ "W-League captain Natasha Rigby on being forced to face a tough decision". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 February 2021.
- ^ "Q&A with… Tash Rigby". 19 July 2019.
- ^ "'The craziest story' that defined dream start to 2023 for Glory skipper who has grown into her armband". A-Leagues. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
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