Courtney Jade Nevin (born 12 February 2002) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a full-back for English Women's Super League club Leicester City, and the Australia women's national team. She has previously played for Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne Victory in the W-League, as well as Damallsvenskan side Hammarby IF.

Courtney Nevin
Nevin with Australia U20 in 2019
Personal information
Full name Courtney Jade Nevin
Date of birth (2002-02-12) 12 February 2002 (age 22)
Place of birth Blacktown, Sydney, Australia
Height 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)[1]
Position(s) Full-back
Team information
Current team
Leicester City
Number 2
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2021 Western Sydney Wanderers 28 (0)
2021–2022 Melbourne Victory 15 (1)
2022–2023 Hammarby IF 22 (3)
2023Leicester City (loan) 12 (0)
2023– Leicester City 26 (0)
International career
2016 Australia U17 3 (10)
2018–2019 Australia U20 9 (2)
2021– Australia 27 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:31, 7 January 2024 (AEST)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 7 January 2024

Club career

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Junior years

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Nevin started playing soccer at her local club, Oakville Ravens, in Blacktown.[2] She started playing at high level from the age of 11, and was at the beginning supported by her school, Oakville Public School.[3] Later she played for Parklea and for Blacktown Spartans.[4] In 2018, Nevin played for Football NSW Institute, where she scored 11 goals in 25 games and won the 2018 NPLW NSW Player of the Year award.[5]

Lower tier

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Nevin played for Sydney Olympic in the 2020 National Premier Leagues NSW Women's season, helping them finish second.[5] In February 2021, Nevin re-signed with Blacktown Spartans for the 2021 National Premier Leagues NSW Women's season.[6]

Western Sydney Wanderers

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In September 2018, Nevin joined her hometown W-League club Western Sydney Wanderers after training with the club following her strong season with Football NSW Institute.[7][8] She played nine matches in the 2018–19 W-League season, pushing offensively with 188 passes and creating five scoring chances, while also defending with nine tackles and winning 15 duels.[2] Her performance received praise from others, including American international Kristen Hamilton, who said that she's mature with a unique knowledge of the game for her age.[9] Nevin re-signed with the club in September 2019, in time for the new season, alongside goalkeeper Jada Whyman.[10] In September 2020, Nevin re-signed with Western Sydney Wanderers for her third season, after playing all 13 of the club's matches in the 2019–20 W-League season.[11] A few days later, she was voted by her team-mates as the club's W-League Player of the Year and was awarded the Wanderers Medal.[12] She was praised by assistant coach Catherine Cannuli who called her an unbelievable talent who uses hard work and determination.[4]

Melbourne Victory

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In October 2021, Nevin joined defending premiers Melbourne Victory, ahead of the 2021–22 A-League Women season, heralded as one of the country's best young talents.[13] At the end of the season, Melbourne Victory were crowned champions through a 2–1 final win against Sydney FC.[14]

Hammarby IF

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On 15 March 2022, Nevin transferred to Hammarby IF in the Swedish Damallsvenskan, together with teammate Kyra Cooney-Cross, signing a two-year-contract.[15][16]

Loan to Leicester City

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In January 2023, Nevin joined English Women's Super League club Leicester City on loan until the end of the season with an option to buy.[17]

Leicester City

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In July 2023, Nevin joined Leicester City on a permanent transfer.[18]

International career

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Youth

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In August 2016, Nevin was called up by Ante Juric to the 23-player squad for the 2017 AFC U-16 Women's Championship qualifiers, contested in Vietnam by Australia's under-17 squad.[19] In their opening match, Nevin scored nine goals in a 28–0 victory over Palestine.[20][21] She played also in the 8–0 victory over Iraq[22] and scored her 10th goal of the qualifiers in a 6–0 victory over Vietnam.[23] She was one of the players who excelled at the games, finishing second on Australia's goalscorers, behind Sofia Sakalis who scored 11 goals.[24][25]

In June 2018, Nevin was called up by Leah Blayney to Australia's under-20 squad who competed at the 2018 AFF Women's Championship in Indonesia against senior teams from the ASEAN Football Federation.[26][27] In the group stage, she played in the 7–0 victory over Malaysia[28] and in the 4–2 defeat to Thailand.[29] Australia qualified for the knockout stage from the second place in the group, and Nevin scored the second goal in the 4–2 victory over Vietnam in the semi-final[30][31] and also played in the final which Australia lost 3–2 to Thailand.[32][33] In October 2019, Nevin was once more called up by Blayney, this time for the 2019 AFC U-19 Women's Championship squad.[34] She played in all five games of the tournament: a 5–1 defeat to North Korea,[35] a 3–1 victory over Thailand in which she scored the third goal from a free kick,[36][37] a 1–0 victory over Vietnam,[38] a 7–0 loss to Japan in the semi-finals,[39] and a 9–1 loss to South Korea in the third place match.[40]

Senior

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In September 2019, Nevin was called up for a training camp of Australia's senior team, ahead of their friendlies against Chile.[41] The camp took place during her studies for the HSC and she said she felt both excited and scared to train alongside her heroes.[42][43] In June 2021, Nevin was called up for the first time for a senior international match squad, when Tony Gustavsson selected her in his 25-player squad for friendlies against Denmark and Sweden.[44] She found out she was called-up while watching television with her friend and team-mate Kyra Cooney-Cross.[45] She made her debut in the first match against Denmark, coming on as a substitute in the second half of the 3–2 defeat.[46][47] In June 2021, Nevin was called up as a travelling reserve player to Australia's 2020 Olympics squad.[48] Subsequently, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FIFA confirmed a change for the 2020 Olympics, allowing all 22 players to be available on the roster, with 18 being named for each match.[49]

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the Matildas advanced to the quarter-finals with one victory and a draw in the group play. In the quarter-finals they beat Great Britain 4–3 after extra time. However, they lost 1–0 to Sweden in the semi-final and were then beaten 4–3 in the bronze medal playoff by USA.[50] Full details.

In July 2023, Nevin was named as part of Australia's 23-woman squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, held in Australia and New Zealand.[51]

Style of play

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Nevin plays as a full back, but also goes forward often. Her scoring and assisting with her left foot earned her the nickname "Lethal".[52][53] To practice scoring, Nevin's father built a custom goal for her in the backyard.[54]

Personal life

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Nevin graduated from Westfields Sports High School in 2019.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "Squad list – Women's Olympic Football Tournament Tokyo 2020" (PDF). FIFA. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  2. ^ a b Seemampillai, Janakan (14 December 2019). "'We didn't even have changerooms': Huynh's moving Wanderers journey". The Women's Game. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  3. ^ Coleman, Finn (18 October 2018). "Nevin takes another step in successful football career". Hawkesbury Gazette. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  4. ^ a b Seemampillai, Janakan (9 September 2020). "Celebrating Courtney: The local and 'lethal' Wanderer with 'unbelievable talent'". The Women's Game. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  5. ^ a b Curulli, Chris (27 December 2020). "Made in the Westfield W-League: Up-and-coming Westfield Junior & Young Matildas to watch this season". Matildas. Football Australia. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  6. ^ Stavroulaki, Mark (15 February 2021). "Attard excited about Spartans future". National Premier Leagues NSW. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  7. ^ Windon, Jacob (4 September 2018). "Wanderers secure young guns". Western Sydney Wanderers. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  8. ^ "WSW trio ready for new season". The Women's Game. 4 September 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  9. ^ Seemampillai, Janakan (29 November 2019). "Hat trick Hero Hamilton lauds team mates". The Women's Game. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Wanderers re-sign Jada Whyman and Courtney Nevin". Western Sydney Wanderers. 30 September 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  11. ^ "Wanderers re-sign Nevin". Western Sydney Wanderers. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  12. ^ "Nevin, Duke named Wanderers Medal winners". Western Sydney Wanderers. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  13. ^ "Melbourne Victory signs Matildas defender Courtney Nevin". Melbourne Victory. 2 October 2021.
  14. ^ "Victory rises to the challenge again to deliver championship". Melbourne Victory. 2 October 2021.
  15. ^ "Hammarby värvar Kyra Cooney-Cross och Courtney Nevin". Hammarby IF (in Swedish). 15 March 2022.
  16. ^ "Kyra Cooney-Cross and Courtney Nevin sign with Hammarby Fotboll". Football Australia. 15 March 2022.
  17. ^ Pinnock, Hannah (24 January 2023). "Leicester City Women confirm loan signing of Australia international Courtney Nevin". Leicester Mercury.
  18. ^ "LCFC Confirm Permanent Deal For Courtney Nevin". LCFC.com. 4 July 2023.
  19. ^ "Juric names squad for AFC U-16 qualifiers". Matildas. Football Australia. 4 August 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  20. ^ "AFC U-16 Women's Championship 2017 – Australia 28–0 Palestine". Asian Football Confederation. 25 August 2016. Archived from the original on 30 August 2017.
  21. ^ Odong, Ann (30 August 2016). "Junior Matildas cruising in AFC U-16s qualifiers". The Women's Game. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  22. ^ "AFC U-16 Women's Championship 2017 – Iraq 0–8 Australia". Asian Football Confederation. 29 August 2016. Archived from the original on 30 August 2017.
  23. ^ "AFC U-16 Women's Championship 2017 – Australia 6–0 Vietnam". Asian Football Confederation. 1 September 2016. Archived from the original on 30 August 2017.
  24. ^ "Junior Matildas complete qualifiers with perfect record". The Women's Game. 4 September 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  25. ^ "2017 Annual Review" (PDF). Football Australia. 20 July 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  26. ^ "Five Westfield Matildas in Young Matildas squad for 2018 AFF Women's Championship". Matildas. Football Australia. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  27. ^ "Young Matildas squad announced ahead of AFF Championship". The Women's Game. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  28. ^ "AFF Women's – Group A – Match Summary – Malaysia 0–7 Australia U20" (PDF). ASEAN Football Federation. 30 June 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  29. ^ "AFF Women's – Group A – Match Summary – Thailand 4–2 Australia U20" (PDF). ASEAN Football Federation. 8 July 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  30. ^ "AFF Women's – Knock-out Stage – Match Summary – Vietnam 2–4 Australia U20" (PDF). ASEAN Football Federation. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  31. ^ Seroukas, John (12 July 2018). "Analysis: Young Matildas qualify for final". The Women's Game. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  32. ^ "AFF Women's – Knock-out Stage – Match Summary – Thailand 3–2 Australia U20" (PDF). ASEAN Football Federation. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  33. ^ Bacic, Angela (14 July 2018). "Thailand come from behind to win third consecutive title". The Women's Game. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  34. ^ "Leah Blayney finalises Westfield Young Matildas squad for 2019 AFC U-19 Women's Championship". Matildas. Football Australia. 15 October 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  35. ^ "Korea DPR U19 vs. Australia U19 5–1". Soccerway. Stats Perform Group. 27 October 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  36. ^ "Australia U19 vs. Thailand U19 3–1". Soccerway. Stats Perform Group. 30 October 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  37. ^ Roots, Dale (31 October 2019). "AFC U-19 Women's Championship: Young Matildas vs Thailand Match Report". Beyond90. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  38. ^ "Australia U19 vs. Vietnam U19 1–0". Soccerway. Stats Perform Group. 2 November 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  39. ^ "Japan U19 vs. Australia U19 7–0". Soccerway. Stats Perform Group. 6 November 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  40. ^ "Korea Republic U19 vs. Australia U19 9–1". Soccerway. Stats Perform Group. 9 November 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  41. ^ Lewis, Samantha (23 September 2019). "Matildas training camp squad announced". Beyond90. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  42. ^ "Nevin relishing the chance to learn from Westfield Matildas best". Matildas. Football Australia. 4 October 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  43. ^ "W-League prodigy 'a bit scared' of Matildas camp". The Women's Game. 5 October 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  44. ^ "Gustavsson selects 25-player squad for June's Denmark and Sweden friendlies". Matildas. Football Australia. 1 June 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  45. ^ "Teenage Dreams: Nevin and Cooney-Cross reaching for the rings". Matildas. Football Australia. 1 June 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  46. ^ Lordanic, Marissa (10 June 2021). "100 games for van Egmond as Denmark defeat Westfield Matildas". Matildas. Football Australia. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  47. ^ Lynch, Michael (11 June 2021). "Matildas fall to third straight loss heading into Tokyo Olympics". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  48. ^ "Matildas team locked in for Tokyo with official Olympic selection". Matildas. Football Australia. 30 June 2021.
  49. ^ Harris, Rob; Peterson, Anne M. (3 July 2021). "FIFA confirms roster changes for Olympic soccer". The Washington Post.
  50. ^ "Australian Olympic Team for Tokyo 2021". The Roar. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  51. ^ "MATILDAS SQUAD ANNOUNCED: FIFA Women's World Cup 2023". Matildas. Football Australia. 3 July 2023.
  52. ^ "Up Next – Courtney Nevin". False Nine. Professional Footballers Australia. Archived from the original on 12 March 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  53. ^ Seemampillai, Janakan (27 February 2020). "'It's been a long time coming': Wanderwomen on the brink of history". The Women's Game. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  54. ^ Buratti, Liana (9 May 2018). "Young gun Nevin confident of Finals football". Football NSW. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
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