Perth Glory A-League Ladies’s captain Natasha Rigby has cited monetary lack of confidence and instability as having performed a immense function in her choice to vacate from the sport elderly simply 31.
Rigby performed 117 video games for the Glory throughout 8 seasons and captained the aspect from 2019.
She additionally performed in two ALW magnificent finals for the membership, in 2017 and 2019.
“Although there has been significant growth in the women’s game over the time I’ve been involved, unfortunately we still struggle financially,” Rigby stated in her departure video.
“That instability and insecurity has been something that has been a bit of a barrier for myself, along with looking to build a sustainable future.”
Rigby pointed to the Ladies’s International Cup case in point of pastime within the girls’s tournament and known as for extra funding.
“We can no longer use the excuse that no-one watches women’s sports,” she stated.
“We really need to invest in that, and I hope we can leverage off of that and look to see players playing much later on into their careers, instead of having to take a step back because of the implications that the negative financial situation poses.”
‘It’s been my choice’
Rigby retires as one in every of simply 3 avid gamers to achieve the 100-game milestone for Perth and stated she will have performed on.
“I probably still have a few years left in my body, but I think my heart has given everything to Glory,” she stated.
“I know I’m leaving it in very, very capable hands.
“It’s stunning to journey out realizing that it’s been my choice. I believe that’s truly tough.”
Rigby played alongside some of the Glory’s greatest players, including current Matildas captain Sam Kerr and club legend Kim Carrol.
“There’s been such a lot of exceptional avid gamers that I’ve performed with so yeah, a number of wonderful influences,” she stated.
Glory schoolteacher leads tributes
Perth coach Alex Epakis led the tributes for Rigby.
“Tash has represented the membership and led the ALW workforce in a way which is reflective of her i’m sure personality,” he stated.
“She has all the time led from the entrance and located some way in order the most productive out of various teams of nation through the years, in particular all through the doubt led to in contemporary seasons by means of COVID-19 with relocation, hubs and like as.”
Rigby has recently been appointed manager of female football and advocacy at Football West.
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