Natasha Rigby

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Natasha Rigby
Canberra United vs Perth Glory W-League Round2CanPer - RigbySub (48781246547).jpg
Rigby playing for Perth Glory in 2018
Personal information
Full name Natasha Rigby
Date of birth (1993-01-24) 24 January 1993 (age 31)
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*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2016–2024 Perth Glory 117 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 31 March 2024 (UTC)

Natasha Rigby is a former Australian soccer player who played for Perth Glory in the A-League Women.

Contents

Early life

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

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 appearances 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

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]

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References

  1. ↑ "Extra Time: Rigby on the 'respectful fear' Kerr commands". Matildas. 24 November 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  2. 1 2 "Inspiring Stories: Natasha Rigby". www.sen.com.au. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  3. 1 2 "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.
  4. 1 2 Morgan, Gareth (17 November 2023). "Glory Week Episode #4... with Tash Rigby". Perth Glory. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  5. ↑ "Natasha Rigby". Perth Glory FC. 31 July 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  6. 1 2 "Locals play their part in Perth Glory's grand final drive". The Women's Game. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  7. ↑ "Rigby stoked with AFLW's coinciding attention". FTBL. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  8. ↑ "Rigby confirmed as new Glory skipper". Perth Glory FC. 14 November 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  9. ↑ Writers, Aleagues com au. "Perth Glory vs Melbourne Victory, A-League Women, 18th November 2023". A-Leagues. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  10. 1 2 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.
  11. ↑ "W-League captain Natasha Rigby on being forced to face a tough decision". Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 26 February 2021.
  12. ↑ "Q&A with… Tash Rigby". 19 July 2019.
  13. ↑ "'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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