Sunshine Coast Fire goalkeeper Renee Rudder is flying high after being selected to play four trial games with the Newcastle Jets in the coming W-League season.
Twenty-three-year-old Rudder travelled down to start training with the team in early September, and will remain in Newcastle for the duration of her trial.
Rudder had been training with both the Fire and the Brisbane Roar after Roar coach Belinda Wilson identified and trained with the Roar once a week for most of the season, as well as training and playing with the Fire.
It was Wilson who recommended Rudder to Jets goalkeeper coach Chris Bowling, and last week he invited Rudder to Newcastle for three training sessions, and then invited her to stay for the first four games of the season.
Rudder said training with the Jets was very intense; however training with Coach Dave Bensted at the Fire had allowed her to develop a number of aspects of her game which the Jets coaching staff had identified.
“At the Fire, we focus on playing out from the back if possible, which ensures that the ball stays in our possession rather than being a 50/50 from a goal kick. This creates more opportunities for us to move up the field rather than having to defend as much,” she said.
“I’ve been working hard on my distribution and communication with the team. With Fire being such a sought after Club, the players who are on the team want to perform their best and this environment creates more opportunity to better myself as a player.
“I think it was this drive to be better that has allowed for my development and confidence during the season to show through each game. I feel that the elite coaches look for this passion and drive, as well as talent, in the players they select because at the end of the day it’s only the players that can better themselves, with the coaches to help facilitate this.”
Rudder and one other keeper will be vying for the starting spot for the four games, the first of which will be in two weeks’ time.
“It’s a great opportunity, and I’m very excited,” Rudder said.
“At the moment I’ve boon concentrating on fitting in with the team and being confident, and getting used to the intensity.”
Fire Technical Director, Kevin A’herne-Evans, said Rudder’s invitation to trial with the Jets was a great achievement.
“Renee is an enthusiastic and technically sound goalkeeper, with a firm understanding of playing out from back, which is a vital element of the W-League philosophy,” he said.
“We at the Fire wish her every success.”
Rudder’s first game with the Jets will be against Melbourne Victory at home in Newcastle on Saturday, September 13, followed by Perth Glory at home on September 20, Brisbane Roar in Brisbane on September 27 and then Adelaide United in Adelaide on October 4.
