From Grassroots to Greatness: Sarah Jones Reflects on the Game That Built Her
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We first met Sarah when we were 14 when we played representative soccer together for Peninsula and Far North Queensland. She was an obvious talent and leader of the team, which no doubt explains her selection in the Queensland School Girls Soccer Team from Year 8, a massive feat considering she was up against girls from up to year 12. She quickly made her mark as a one of the talents to watch in QLD soccer and represented and captained Australia when she was in Year 12. Sarah was one of the early wave Aussies who went to the US to play and study in the College system. After playing for the Virginia Commonwealth University and obtaining her Arts (psychology) degree, she moved to England where she played for Watford in the Women’s Football Championship for 2 seasons before returning to Australia. Sarah has achieved many things since then on a personal and professional level, a few of which include coaching for the past 9 years, being the Technical Director at Edge Hill United Football Club and coaching QLD’s emerging female football talent. We recently had the opportunity to ask Sarah some football questions which seems fitting given Women’s Football Week is about to start.
Can you please tell us a bit about how your football journey started?
I grew up in the small farming community of Tully, FNQ. My brother started playing soccer and I wasn’t one to sit on the sideline and watch. I started at age 8 and I instantly fell in love with the game.
You played a lot of your junior soccer with the boys. What was that like and do you think it helped in your football development? How have things changed and do you think it’s for the better?
I was the only female in my team for many years. In order for me to make the team, I had to be as strong, as fast and as good as the boys. I was very athletic so I was able to compete comfortably with them until about 16 years of age. At age 12 it was evident that my technical skills were not as refined as some of the more talented boys. At 12, we started playing representative football and one particular coach taught me that I would never be selected for rep teams if I didn’t improve my ball skills. That’s when I started practicing juggling, dribbling and first touch control at home. At the age of 16, all female competitions commenced. It was evident the vast difference in quality of this female players as most of them were just starting their football journeys.
The difference today is that female football is very popular and it’s an option for girls to start as young as 5 and 6. There is an option for girls to play in all girls teams throughout their age levels. There is also options of additional training through private academies. Therefore we have seen the technical capacity of female footballers significantly improve at a younger age across the country.
My personal view is that it’s beneficial for some girls to play mixed until around the ages of 13/14 when girls and boys hit puberty. However this is completely up to the player and where they feel best suited for them. It’s great they have options!
Can you describe the pathway which led you to playing soccer in the American college system? Do you know if this has now changed, and if so, how?
I went through a company called College Prospects of America. I had to submit my football and academic resume and provide references and evidence of my achievements. It’s a very similar process now however there are so many different companies identifying talent. Players that are interested should start gathering video footage of their capabilities. The US system loves statistics such as goals, assist, saves etc. so picking highlights showcasing your talents is appealing. All representative players are being encouraged to maintain this type of data on their performance so they can self-evaluate but also monitor their weekly load. This is probably the biggest change, players online profiles that capture their progression, performance, well-being and recovery.
Overall, how was this experience and how did you end up playing in England in the Women’s Football Championship?
I loved playing in America. It was very professional and so different to how I grew up in Far North Queensland. Everything was paid for including my education, accommodation, food and football apparel. My only expense were my flights. The atmosphere surrounding university sport in the USA was next level. The football programs are very well run, and the team culture is amazing. When I graduated, I came home to Australia with my boyfriend Stu (now husband) and we saved to travel the world. We went to South America and the stopped and based ourselves out of London for two years. I trialed with Arsenal and Watford and was lucky enough to play a couple of seasons with Watford. It was a great way to see the country.
Did you have any major injuries during your playing career and if so, how did it impact you and how did you overcome it?
Unfortunately, I had two full knee reconstructions due to tearing every ligament in both knees. My right knee tore in 2018 in year 11 at the National Championships in Melbourne. The left knee tore in my freshman year at university. I tore my right knee again in my second season with Watford and decided to stop playing after that. I was only 24. My knees didn’t like the explosive change of direction. I’m not sure was contributed to my injuries whether it was overtraining. We didn’t capture that data when I came through. Unfortunately ACL tears are common for women in amateur and professional football. Good professional rehabilitation/recovery, a balanced strength program and quality coaching assist athletes to get back on the field. For me, my injuries impacted my speed and confidence to move the ball forward. These were my strengths. It was hard mentally to not feel like the same player or achieve the same results on the pitch.
What are the positive effects sport, and in your case soccer, had on your life?
It formed my early identity. And now I value myself as an athlete for life. I approach many of my life goals and challenges with the same formula. I was able to travel around Australia, America and England because of my football talent. It paid for my tertiary level education. I met some of the most incredible people, coaches and mentors. Some who are still major influences in my life. I loved it with all my heart, and it still brings me joy but in different ways.
What are the obvious changes you’ve noted in girls’ soccer since your playing days and how has the women’s soccer landscape changed for the better?
As indicated above, there are so many different options for young footballers to develop their skills. This is certainly positive and I can see a big improvement in the female football’s core skills at a younger age. It is a lot more competitive for female footballers to be identified in remote areas and due to quality coaching and resources being city centric, many talented footballs relocate to urban areas weakening rural football competitions. Private academies, Representative programs and Club Football has also meant there are several different competing pathways for player development. This can be difficult and expensive for players and parents to navigate. It can also impact on player’s load so parents must be reflected and seek sound advice to ensure healthy development through puberty and adolescence.
There is a legitimate option for women to make a career out of women’s football. However it’s important to remember that like any professional sport, only a small percentage achieve this goal. There are so many other great outcomes that female can take away from playing football. Lifelong friends and mentors, happy memories and personal growth.