MECHANICSBURG, Pa. – The Eagle FC Women would like to welcome Sun Belt Conference and University of Louisiana D/MF Emma Bates for the 2024 Eagle FC USL W League Season!
A native of Central Coast, Australia, Emma was a member of the Newcastle Jets FC Academy team that played in the FNSW National Premier League and was selected for the Northern NSW State team, playing at the FFA National Championships in 2016. Additionally, she was named captain in 2017 and was received the Player of the Year award. As a result, she was a Football Australia Identified Player and a member of the Australian U17 squad. Emma was also selected to represent the Sydney North Schools Association U18 team from 2018-21 and was chosen team co-captain and MVP recipient in 2021 at the New South Wales (NSW) Combined High School Championships.
This past season, she made 16 appearances for the Ragin Cajuns where she was tied fourth on the team in both goals (2) and points (5) while logging over 760 minutes. She scored her first collegiate and game-winning goal against South Florida. She has previously played in the United Women’s Soccer League (UWS) and she will be joining us in the USL W League this upcoming summer.
Signing to play for Eagle FC in the USL W League is a tremendous honor. It is an exciting opportunity for personal development and a chance to play with and against some of the best young players in the country. The USL W is very competitive and provides an excellent platform and pathway for young players like myself to develop. I’m very much looking forward to embracing the Eagle FC culture and contributing to the teams success on and off the field.
Welcome Emma, pending USL W League and federation approval.