Draft:Emma Bates (footballer)

Emma Louise Bates (Born 21 October, 2003) is an Australian football (soccer) player. She is currently an international student athlete at the University of Louisiana, competing for the Ragin Cajuns in the NCAA Division 1, Sun Belt Conference.

Career
In August 2019. Bates attended her first National Training Camp for the Junior Matildas (Australia U17s) on the Gold Coast as part of the National Team's preparations for the U17 2020 AFC Championships.

She joined the Tigers ahead of the 2021 campaign, from Adamstown Rosebuds, where she played for one season in 2020 in the NNSWF NPL. She was a member of the Newcastle Jets Academy (previously the Emerging Jets) from 2016 to 2019 having played in the Central Coast Football boys SAP program in 2015 prior to her move to Newcastle. Bates started her football journey at Kanwal Warnervale Rovers, her local club on the NSW Central Coast.

Prior to leaving Australia for the USA, Bates played for the Northern Tigers FC in the Football NSW National Premier League 1 (NSWNPL).

Bates was a NSW CHS 'State Blue' recipient in 2021 in recognition of her achievements and MVP awards for both the Sydney North School Association (NSW CHS State Championships), the NSW CHS State Team (NSW All Schools Championships) and her selection into the 2021 NSW All Schools Merit Team.

In 2022, while a US College student, Bates signed for the Texas based San Antonio Athenians, the 2021 United Women's Soccer South West Region Champions and National semi finalists.

In 2023 the former Australian junior representative returned to the US as a Sophomore, looking to stamp her mark on the Sun Belt Conference as the Ragin Cajuns went in search of their first championship berth under coach Chris McBride.

Bates featured prominently as the Ragin Cajuns began their 2023 campaign with their most successful start to a season in program history.

Sun Belt Conference play gets underway on ESPN+ as Bates and the Ragin Cajuns take on Texas State for the 2023 opener on the 17 September.

Football
Northern New South Wales Football State Team U13 - (FFA National Youth Championships 2016)

Northern New South Wales, Emerging Jets U14 - (Dallas Cup, Texas 2017)

Northern New South Wales State Team, Captain U14 - (FFA National Youth Championships 2017) 

*Newcastle Jets FC Academy U15 - (FFA National Youth Championships 2018)

FFA National Junior Matilda, identified player - 2018

Sydney North Schools Association CHS U18 - (NSW CHS State Championships 2018)

FFA National Junior Matilda, identified player - 2019 

Sydney North Schools Association CHS U18 - (NSW CHS State Championships 2019)

New South Wales Combined High Schools State Team - (NSW All Schools Championships 2019)

Newcastle Jets FC Academy U17 - (FFA National Training Centre Championships 2019)

Junior Matildas, Australia U17 National Team Camp - (Gold Coast, QLD, 2019)

Sydney North Schools Association CHS U18 (NSW CHS State Championships 2021)

NSW Combined High Schools State Team (NSW All Schools Championships 2021) - Gold Medal Winners

NSW All Schools Merit Team 2021 (Australian Schools Championships 2021 *Cancelled - Covid 19)

Futsal
Football NSW Country North U15 - National Champions (FFA National Youth Futsal Championships 2018 )

Football NSW Country North U15 - (FFA National Youth Futsal Championships 2019)

Mountain Majik U17 - (FNSW Premier League 1) - 'NSW CHAMPIONS'

Individual
Coaches Player of the Year 2018 - Newcastle Jets Academy U15

Senior Player of the Year 2020 - Adamstown Rosebuds

Golden Boot Award 2020 - Adamstown Rosebuds First Grade

NSW CHS Schools Association 'State Blue Recipient' 2021 - Soccer

MVP - Sydney North Schools Association CHS U18 (2021)

MVP - NSW Combined High Schools State Team (2021)

Sportsperson of the Year Award - Wadalba Community School (2021)