GOALKEEPER Jada Whyman is hopeful a fresh start with Sydney FC will reinvigorate her W-League career as she looks to put a run of injury behind her.
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The Wagga product missed Western Sydney Wanderers' campaign last year after having knee surgery, and is currently on the comeback trail from a dislocated AC joint she suffered playing for Sydney Olympic about a month ago
The 21-year-old former Young Matilda is part of a youthful Sydney FC line-up assembled by coach Ante Juric which will look to regain the crown it relinquished to Melbourne City last year.
"It's a new journey going from the red and black to the sky blue. It's one I'm very excited for and it will be fantastic to play under Ante again after I did so with the under-20 Matildas," Whyman said.
"My biggest pull to Sydney FC was I'm coming back from injury and I wanted to have a complete fresh start.
"As much as I loved being at the Wanderers I felt I was a bit in my comfort zone and wasn't pushing myself in ways I could. I was always worried about injuries and things like that.
"I guess it's about having a whole new perspective and drive going to a new team.
"It's a goal of mine to play consistently in W-League, prove to myself I can make it through a whole season and not be known as 'that injured player' any more. I just want to not worry about injuries and enjoy the sport again."
Whyman said her goal is to try and cement herself as the team's first-choice shot-stopper before the season begins just after Christmas.
"I think a lot of the Matildas players are going to be overseas during the W-League, so it gives us younger players an opportunity," she said.
"Everybody's got to earn their spots and Ante's seen me at Sydney Olympic but pre-season will be the test."
While establishing herself in the W-League is the initial goal, putting herself in the frame for selection for the 2023 World Cup in Australia is a long term dream.
"I'd love to have that opportunity, but what I can do at the moment is focus on what I'm doing now and hopefully that would lead me toward something as amazing as that," she said.
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