![]() Rigby playing for Perth Glory in 2018 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Natasha Rigby | ||
Date of birth | 24 January 1993 | ||
Place of birth | Margaret River, Australia | ||
Position(s) | Defender | ||
Youth career | |||
2008–10 | Western Australia U16 | ||
University of Western Australia | |||
Queens Park SC | |||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | ( Gls) |
2016–2024 | Perth Glory | 117 | (2) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 31 March 2024 (UTC) |
Natasha Rigby is a former Australian soccer player who played for Perth Glory in the A-League Women.
Rigby grew up in Margaret River, a small town south of Perth. There was no girls' soccer team, and she played with the boys. [1] Between the ages of 15 and 17, Rigby represented Western Australia in the National Youth Championships. [2] [3]
At age 18, Rigby moved to Perth to study sports science at the University of Western Australia, where she also played in the state league. [4]
Rigby was given an opportunity with the Glory for the 2016–17 W-League season, after being scouted following a pre-season friendly game between a select Western Australian state team and Perth Glory in 2015. [5] [2] She started as a squad member, and worked her way on to the bench and finally into the starting team. [6]
Rigby played a role in Glory's 2016–17 run to the grand final, which they lost to Melbourne City. [6] [7]
Following Sam Kerr's move from Perth to Europe on the eve of the 2019–20 season, Rigby took over the role of captain. [8] She currently holds the longest active streak of any sole captain in the A-League Women, having been captain for five consecutive seasons. [3]
Rigby became only the third player to reach 100 appearances for Perth Glory Women on 18 November 2023, starting in a 2–2 draw against Newcastle Jets. [4] [9]
Rigby announced her retirement from professional football on 3 May 2024, marking 117 consecutive appearances for Perth Glory. [10]
For the 2020–21 W-League, the national competition was heavily disrupted due to travel restrictions and quarantine requirements caused by COVID-19, as well as the exodus of many top level Australian players to the FA Women's Super League. Rigby was required to manage her commitment to full time employment as a prison officer at a women's prison with her footballing career. [11] Coinciding with her retirement from playing in 2024, Rigby was appointed to Football West as manager of Female Football and Advocacy. [10]
Beyond football, Rigby engages in charitable work to improve literacy amongst Indigenous Australians, and supports mental health initiatives in the community. [12]
Rigby is currently in a relationship with AFLW player Angelique Stannett, with whom they announced their engagement in February 2023. [13]
![]() Rigby playing for Perth Glory in 2018 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Natasha Rigby | ||
Date of birth | 24 January 1993 | ||
Place of birth | Margaret River, Australia | ||
Position(s) | Defender | ||
Youth career | |||
2008–10 | Western Australia U16 | ||
University of Western Australia | |||
Queens Park SC | |||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | ( Gls) |
2016–2024 | Perth Glory | 117 | (2) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 31 March 2024 (UTC) |
Natasha Rigby is a former Australian soccer player who played for Perth Glory in the A-League Women.
Rigby grew up in Margaret River, a small town south of Perth. There was no girls' soccer team, and she played with the boys. [1] Between the ages of 15 and 17, Rigby represented Western Australia in the National Youth Championships. [2] [3]
At age 18, Rigby moved to Perth to study sports science at the University of Western Australia, where she also played in the state league. [4]
Rigby was given an opportunity with the Glory for the 2016–17 W-League season, after being scouted following a pre-season friendly game between a select Western Australian state team and Perth Glory in 2015. [5] [2] She started as a squad member, and worked her way on to the bench and finally into the starting team. [6]
Rigby played a role in Glory's 2016–17 run to the grand final, which they lost to Melbourne City. [6] [7]
Following Sam Kerr's move from Perth to Europe on the eve of the 2019–20 season, Rigby took over the role of captain. [8] She currently holds the longest active streak of any sole captain in the A-League Women, having been captain for five consecutive seasons. [3]
Rigby became only the third player to reach 100 appearances for Perth Glory Women on 18 November 2023, starting in a 2–2 draw against Newcastle Jets. [4] [9]
Rigby announced her retirement from professional football on 3 May 2024, marking 117 consecutive appearances for Perth Glory. [10]
For the 2020–21 W-League, the national competition was heavily disrupted due to travel restrictions and quarantine requirements caused by COVID-19, as well as the exodus of many top level Australian players to the FA Women's Super League. Rigby was required to manage her commitment to full time employment as a prison officer at a women's prison with her footballing career. [11] Coinciding with her retirement from playing in 2024, Rigby was appointed to Football West as manager of Female Football and Advocacy. [10]
Beyond football, Rigby engages in charitable work to improve literacy amongst Indigenous Australians, and supports mental health initiatives in the community. [12]
Rigby is currently in a relationship with AFLW player Angelique Stannett, with whom they announced their engagement in February 2023. [13]