Adelaide United is proud to announce an all-South Australian leadership team for the upcoming 2024/25 NINJA A-League season. Captain Isabel Hodgson will be joined by vice-captain Dylan Holmes, alongside experienced defender Matilda McNamara and rising star Ella Tonkin.
Captain Isabel Hodgson expressed her excitement about the new leadership group, highlighting the unique local connection.
“We’ve got three amazing leaders in the group alongside myself, all hailing from South Australia. Dylan Holmes is returning to the role of vice-captain, having led the side in previous seasons. Matilda McNamara is also back in the leadership group after her stint in Denmark, bringing her experience back to the squad. And then there’s Ella Tonkin, who’s earned her place after some fantastic seasons. She’s one of the younger players in the team, and it’s great to see her step up.”
Hodgson also spoke about why Tonkin was selected for the leadership role, despite her young age.
“She’s a young leader, no doubt about that, just 21 years old, which makes her one of the youngest we’ve had in the group. But over the past couple of years, she’s grown tremendously in her centre-back role. She’s been a brick wall for us, and her leadership on the field is undeniable. She’s vocal and commands the backline with confidence, so it was a great decision to bring her into the leadership group.”
Adelaide United’s Head of Football, Marius Zanin, emphasised the significance of having South Australians lead the squad.
“Having a leadership group made up entirely of South Australians is incredibly important for us. These players are the DNA of Adelaide United, and they fully understand the culture and values of the Club.
They’ve grown up with the community, and they know what it means to represent the people of South Australia. Their passion and commitment will continue to drive us forward,” Zanin said.
The Reds kick off their NINJA A-League campaign this Saturday at ServiceFM Stadium, Gepps Cross, in a thrilling clash against Victorian rivals Melbourne Victory. Kick-off is at 4:30 pm, and tickets are available [here].
