After a two-year hiatus from A-League Women, goalkeeper Beth Mason-Jones has committed to Canberra United for the 2021/22 season kicking off on 3 December.
The 23-year-old played three seasons with Melbourne Victory from 2016 to 2019 before taking 15 months away from the sport.
She made her return to the game early this year through NPLW Victoria club Alamein United FC.
With the NPLW Victoria season suspended and then cancelled, Mason-Jones shifted her attention and now looks forward to the start of her first preseason with Canberra United, commencing 25 October.
“I’ve always heard great things about Canberra as a team: the girls, the fans, the environment overall,” Mason-Jones said.
“Watching them over the past few seasons, I’ve really noticed the fight they have for each other as a team which is something I really value and find really rare.
“I’m really looking forward to the new challenge ahead.
“Having a fresh slate to work with, a bunch of new players I haven’t ever played with, a new coach and a new training and playing environment are very enticing to me,” she said.
Mason-Jones joins a strong United squad boasting talent all across the board, fronted by the league’s all-time leading goal scorer, Michelle Heyman.
Mason-Jones and Heyman are joined by Emma Ilijoski, Laura Hughes, Allira Toby, Grace Maher, Keeley Richards, Hayley Taylor-Young, Lauren Keir, Margot Robinne, Holly Caspers and Chloe Middleton in the current squad list for 2021/22.
United have plenty to build on from last season, finishing the season strongly to earn a fourth-place regular-season finish. They were eliminated after a 3-0 semi-final loss to eventual runners up Sydney FC.
They’ll play their first game against Melbourne City at Viking Park on Friday the 3 December at 7:45 pm.