Shadeene ‘Shay’ Evans says she is excited about beginning the Liberty A-League 2021/22 season with Adelaide United on Sunday.
Evans joined the Reds during the offseason and made her debut in the competition with Sydney FC in January 2019.
“I’m pretty excited to be a part of this team coming into this A-League Women season,” Evans said, at the Liberty A-League Season Launch at Coopers Stadium on Wednesday.
The 20-year-old Indigenous athlete is a product of the John Moriarty Football program and spoke about her footballing journey.
“I’m originally from the Northern Territory, a small remote community called Borroloola,” she said.
“It’s about a 12 hour drive from Darwin.
“I started off playing at Borroloola when I was young, got scouted and went to Sydney and started my football career there and school.
“That’s when I got into the A-League Women, I started training and getting experience in the A-League Women and now I’m here at Adelaide United looking forward to it.”
Evans, a forward, wants to help the team reach its aspirations of securing a finals appearance for the first time.
She added that the team is also well-prepared ahead of its clash with reigning champions Melbourne Victory on Sunday.
“I’m hoping to bring something to the team,” she said.
“Hopefully we can come top four this season.”
Having previously represented the Young Matildas, Evans revealed she harbours ambitions of playing for the Matildas but knows that dream will only be realised through hard work.
“It was one of my dreams as a young kid growing up, always wanting to play for the Matildas,” she continued.
“And the opportunity is coming up in the 2023 Women’s World Cup, and I think all the young girls that are wanting to be a part of that are looking forward to it.
“You have to put in the hard work and hopefully one day I’ll be out there.”
