Manly United has become a factory for developing talented footballers and Ruby Jackson is one of those.
Jackson’s love affair with the game commenced at the age four with Lindfield FC before moving on to Manly United and the Football NSW Institute (Project 22) and has since made a decent career from the game.
A talented footballer, Jackson went on to represent her state as well as country at School Girls level.
“During that time I competed in 7 National titles. I captained NSW at 4 of those national titles,” she said.
“In year 11 at age 17 I was chosen in the Australian schools team and competed in a tour through Japan.”
Upon graduating from the Institute, Jackson was hit with one of the toughest injuries in football which continues to cause her issues today.
“Once I got too old for Institute, I returned back to Manly United first grade. That same year in 2016 I unfortunately tore my ACL, four games into the season,” Jackson said.
“This kept me out for almost two years and I’ve had many complications as a result since.”
When Jackson returned to the game, she was lucky enough to have spent time with A-League Women’s powerhouse Sydney FC.
“I returned to football in early 2017 and was lucky enough to train with Sydney FC over the 2018/19 A-League Women’s season as an injury replacement player where we won the grand final against Perth Glory.”
The central defender still has ambitions to play in the A-League women’s competition but is content and focused on getting herself fit and ready first.
For a footballer, the ups and downs of the game aren’t always easy to deal with, in particular when injuries continue to plague a player’s career but Jackson hasn’t given up.
“Since 2016 I have had such a hard time with injuries that my focus has shifted to just getting my body healthy and fit enough to last a full NPL NSW Women’s season. There has been an enormous amount of disappointment for me over the past 6 years due to injury, to the point where I almost completely gave it all up,” said Jackson.
“I have missed out on many opportunities as a result of my injuries. I do sometimes wonder about the trajectory of my football career had I not sustained my ACL injury in 2016.
“My main goal right now is to start every single game this season.
“ I have dedicated a lot of time to off field rehab and I do feel as if I am probably the fittest I have been in years and am looking forward to the season ahead.”
Jackson is now in her twelfth year as a Manly United player and her second as first team captain. The 25-year-old believes Manly can go all the way this season.
“I believe we can win it,” the Manly captain said.
“We have demonstrated year after a year that we are a challenging side to play against. Many of our players are good enough to be in A-League and either do not want to or just haven’t had the opportunity.
“As such, we have a quality side that can absolutely win this competition.”
The young talent within the team is visible to everyone and Jackson underlines that with the opportunity given to a few footballers already this year.
“We have girls that signed as reserve graders but have impressed so much throughout preseason that they are now first graders and performing extraordinarily for us every week.
“The likes of Leah Burton (17) and Sienna Daley (15). Those two for me have been outstanding additions to our Senior squad.
“Our young players will only continue to improve with the introduction of the Sapphire Cup and I believe we are shaping up, if not already, to be a top contender for the title.”
Once being one of those players herself, and one of a large contingent that have come through the program at Manly United, Jackson points to the person behind the success.
“Sharon Egger, our women’s technical director has done extraordinary things for our club,” the Manly junior said.
“A massive amount of time and effort goes into our women’s program. We believe in retaining our players, developing them from a young age and moving them up the ranks to first grade.
“I don’t know if there are many other clubs (if any) that have had so many girls come through their Senior squad that have been with the club for 10-20 years. That’s what the club does differently and that’s where our success lies.
“There is a sense of loyalty entrenched in the club. Manly has created a fantastic women’s program that not only seeks to advance women’s football technically, but seeks to promote its longevity by creating an environment that our girls love.”
-By Nikola Pozder