Perth Glory appoint Rigby as new captain

Natasha Rigby is still pinching herself after being named Perth Glory captain for the Westfield W-League 2019/20 season.

The 26-year-old full-back has featured in 38 Westfield W-League matches over the past three campaigns and played in Glory’s losing Grand Final efforts in 2017 and 2019.

Rigby paid tribute to outgoing skipper Sam Kerr, who this week signed a two-year deal with English club Chelsea FC, and revealed she has learned a great deal from the Westfield Matildas skipper.

The Margaret River native worked her way through the ranks in the City of Light, from a state league player to the first-team squad as a back-up, a regular, and now the captain.

”It is an incredible honour and I am still pinching myself,” she told perthglory.com.au

”We have such a beautiful team and I can’t begin to express how grateful I am for this opportunity.

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”It is absolutely heartbreaking to lose Sammy [Kerr], but she has an ocean of opportunities ahead of her and we will be cheering her on from afar.

”They are huge shoes to fill, but I have learned a lot from her over the last few years and I just want to focus on doing my part for the team.

”All I can do is lead by example, wear my heart on my sleeve and motivate the team to come together and do their best.

”We have some amazingly experienced players like Kim Carroll and Shannon May, so it will be vital to draw on their knowledge and expertise as well. 

”We have a talented young team, everyone is very respectful, motivated and eager to make their mark and I'm looking forward to the season ahead.”

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Head coach Bobby Despotovski cited Rigby’s personality as a key reason behind being bestowed the honour of leading her teammates.

”Tash came in as a State League pick-up and has never missed a beat since,” said Despotovski.

”She's bubbly, team-orientated, takes everything in her stride and will do everything in her powers to lead the team.

”She's a very happy, positive person and we need someone like that to help take our younger players to the next level.”

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