Melina Ayres
Melina Ayres (born 13 April 1999) is an Australian football (soccer) player, who currently plays for Melbourne Victory in the Australian W-League. She has previously played for Melbourne City.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Melina Ayres | ||
Date of birth | 13 April 1999 | ||
Place of birth | Melbourne, Australia | ||
Height | 173 cm (5 ft 8 in) | ||
Position(s) | Striker | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Melbourne Victory | ||
Number | 14 | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2015–2017 | Melbourne City | 16 | (2) |
2016 | Alamein FC | 20 | (19) |
2017– | Melbourne Victory | 31 | (5) |
National team‡ | |||
2016– | Australia U20 | 6 | (3) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 1 February 2020 ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 25 October 2017 |
WNPL
In 2017, Ayres signed for her junior club South Melbourne FC after spending the previous WNPL Victoria season at Alamein FC.[1] Ayres went on to sign for South Melbourne the following year.[2]
Club career
Melbourne City, 2015–2017
In September 2015 at age 16, Ayres signed with Melbourne City for the 2015–16 season playing primarily in a striker position.[3][4] She scored her first goal for the club during injury time of the team's inaugural match against Sydney FC solidifying the 6–0 win.[5]
Melbourne Victory, 2017–
On 22 September, Ayres joined Melbourne Victory on a one-year deal. Highlights of her 2017/2018 season include a stunning goal against Melbourne City FC in round 11 when she won the ball from Alanna Kennedy and chipped Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams from close to halfway. Just one week earlier, Ayres scored another cracker of a strike against ladder leaders Brisbane Roar. With no clear options on hand, Ayres hit a right foot rocket past Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold into the top right bin, leaving the keeper with no chance.[6] In October 2020, Ayres signed a three-year extension with Melbourne Victory.[7]
International career
Ayres played in Malaysia for the under-16 national team. Ayres was called up to the Australian under-20 squad for the 2016 AFF Women's Championship in July 2016 held in Myanmar.[8]
Personal life
Ayres is currently studying a Bachelor of Environmental Science at Deakin University.[9]
Honours
Individual
- Women's National Premier League Golden Boot: (24 goals) 2016
- Women's National Premier League Golden Boot: (40 goals) 2017
See also
References
- Kouroumalis, George (13 February 2017). "South sign Golden Boot Winner & U20 International Melina Ayres". South Melbourne. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
- Fulton, Skip (12 January 2018). "Ayres re-signs for 2018 season". South Melbourne. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
- "City Announces New Westfield W-League Signings". Melbourne City. 16 October 2015.
- "Victorian contingent set to take on nation". Football Federation Victoria. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
- "Melbourne City thumps Sydney FC 6-0 to underline W-League favouritism". ABC. 18 October 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
- "Ayres bolsters attacking options". Melbourne Victory. 22 September 2017.
- "Melina Ayres signs new three-year deal". Melbourne Victory. 27 October 2020.
- Turner, David (21 July 2016). "Gifted striker Melina Ayres heads to Myanmar with the Young Matildas". Progress Leader.
- "Elite Athlete Program Profiles". Deakin University. Retrieved 10 August 2020.