Suze Waia named new club captain of Wagga City Wanderers' women's team

Waia will take the reins from Maddy Harris, who remains in the leadership group but is heading overseas halfway through next season.

New women's head coach Sam Gray said Waia was the obvious choice.

"She's very talented and a great leader," Gray said.

"She's got great enthusiasm, she puts the team before herself. The young girls coming up from the 17s, Suze makes sure they are comfortable and know that they're valued as much as any other player.

"She'll be a great captain."

Waia said it was an honour to be named the new captain.

"It's an absolute privilege to be acknowledged by the Wanderers in this role as club captain," Waia said.

"I feel very honoured, and will try my best to lead the squad to achieve their utmost potential. They all have the ability to challenge themselves against the very best footballers in Canberra."

Waia has been playing soccer for eight years, with time at Temora and Junee before joining the Wanderers last season.

She is a big believer in what the Wanderers are building.

"We are very lucky to have such a successful women's program from 13s right through to seniors," she said.

"The squad has many returning senior players, new players and an increase in talented players from the 17s WNPL grand final runner up squad.

"The quality of talent is exceptional and will only further develop talented women footballers in the Riverina to excel at an elite level and even assisting pathways to becoming professional."

Waia believes the Wanderers squads have 'every chance to be very competitive' against the top Canberra teams this season.

"We have all learnt and developed our skills in our debut year in 2019," she said.

"Working on fitness is key to really challenge ourselves to make it to finals. Skills and development comes with training but our fitness and health is 100 per cent crucial to be able to keep up with the very top teams, Belconnen and Canberra FC.

"Our coaches and managers has full support and belief in us to succeed in the incoming season."

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