Newcastle Jets are delighted to announce the appointment of Ash Wilson as the Club’s Westfield W-League Head Coach for the 2020/21 season.
Wilson took charge midway through last season in an Interim capacity and led the side to her first victory in charge against Adelaide United in early February.
Prior to her appointment as Interim Head Coach in January, Wilson had been Assistant Coach to Craig Deans for five seasons as well as Head Coach of the Newcastle Jets Academy U/19s Girls side.
Wilson has also named two members of her backroom staff, with Andrew Goldman (Goalkeeper Coach) returning to the fold. They will be joined by Scott McCarter, who will be Assistant Coach of the Westfield W-League side.
Following her permanent appointment to the top job, Wilson described her appointment as a proud day.
“I am honoured to be appointed as Head Coach and even more to be the first female Head Coach for the Newcastle Jets,” Wilson said.
“It’s something I have been working toward over the last five years and I’m appreciative for the support and experiences given to me by Craig and the Club over such a long stretch of time.
“I’m looking forward to the challenges of the upcoming Westfield W-League season and playing a brand of football that reflects on the city of Newcastle positively.”
Chief Executive Officer, Lawrie McKinna described Wilson as the ‘right person for the job’.
“Ash has been involved with the Club for a number of years, she has the experience and she deserves this opportunity,” McKinna said.
“She showed last season during her time as Head Coach that she’s a capable and well-rounded football manager, and we’re looking forward to seeing her take this side and make it her own.”
The Club would also like to take this opportunity to formally thank Craig Deans for his service to the Newcastle Jets as Westfield W-League Head Coach. From his appointment in 2015/16 until midway through the 2019/20 season, Deans was Head Coach for a total of 56 matches.
During his tenure, the longest by far of any Westfield W-League Head Coach in Club history, Deans guided the Jets to just their second-ever Finals Series appearance in 2017/18 while playing a pivotal role in the development of countless young players from Newcastle and wider Northern NSW as they transitioned from Academy to senior football.
Deans will continue in his role at the Club as Academy Technical Director, where he will continue to assist in the nurturing of the next generation of Newcastle Jets.
