'More to the game': outpouring of support drives devastated Azzurri captain
The American, who is Charlestown Azzurri's NPL Women's first-grade captain, was making a tackle when she sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), torn medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL), patella displacement, and severe bone bruising in her right knee.
"I really went for it, I guess," Fraser, who is trying to stay optimistic, said.
"It was just the way that I turned. There was an instant pop and my whole leg just went weak. The first thought was, I knew I did damage."
Fraser lay on the field in agony for almost two hours waiting for an ambulance before a decision was made the transport the 23-year-old attacking midfielder to Lake Macquarie Private Hospital for treatment and assessment.
"We felt like that was going to be able to get me in quickest based on the pain that I was in; I was not well," she said.
"They were wonderful. They got me in right away. We got there probably about 9pm and with medication, X-ray, equipment, spoke to two doctors, we were out of hospital by 10.30.
"I had an MRI and referral already booked with results by the next day, so everything was done within 48 hours."
Fraser, whose partner Keiran Hayes plays for Azzurri's men's team and is in Australia on a bridging visa towards permanent residency, now faces surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process.
The 23-year-old will need surgery and is unable to work at her job in aged care for the foreseeable future.
Azzurri teammate Madi Gallegos has set up a GoFundMe page to support their fearless leaders' medical costs on the road to recovery.
Nearly $9000 has already been raised.
"I'm OK," Fraser said. "I'm just trying to take it day by day, and I'm blessed that I have so many people who are helping me, which is just wonderful.
"The support and love that I've received, not only from this community but the soccer community, I know there are so many people out there who have my back, and I'm feeling the love.
"I've had a message from at least a player in every club in this league. It goes to show there's much more to the game, which I appreciate, and it actually is pushing me every single day and it's making me excited to see where I come out at the end of this new journey."
READ MORE:
It is a huge blow for the defending champions, who are in a two-way tussle with Maitland for the premiership as the competition approaches its pointy end.
On Sunday, second-placed Azzurri host last-placed Broadmeadow at Lisle Carr Oval (4pm).
Leaders Maitland were away to fifth-placed Adamstown on Friday night.
Lake Macquarie look set to unleash A-League strike weapon Lara Gooch against New Lambton at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility on Saturday (5pm).
The fourth-placed Golden Eagles (23 points) can climb ahead of third-placed Newcastle Olympic (24), who have the bye, with a win.
In NPL Men on Saturday, Azzurri host Cooks Hill (2pm), Lambton are home to Valentine (2pm) and New Lambton travel to Belmont Swansea (2.30pm).
On Sunday, Adamstown are away to Weston (2pm), Olympic play Edgeworth at Darling Street Oval (2pm) and Magic battle Maitland at Magic Park (4.30pm).
Jayna Fraser has been drawing strength from an outpouring of community support after being devastated by season-ending injuries in the Northern NSW Football Women's State Cup final at Speers Point on Sunday night.
The American, who is Charlestown Azzurri's NPL Women's first-grade captain, was making a tackle when she sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), torn medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL), patella displacement, and severe bone bruising in her right knee.
"I really went for it, I guess," Fraser, who is trying to stay optimistic, said.
"It was just the way that I turned. There was an instant pop and my whole leg just went weak. The first thought was, I knew I did damage."
Fraser lay on the field in agony for almost two hours waiting for an ambulance before a decision was made the transport the 23-year-old attacking midfielder to Lake Macquarie Private Hospital for treatment and assessment.
"We felt like that was going to be able to get me in quickest based on the pain that I was in; I was not well," she said.
"They were wonderful. They got me in right away. We got there probably about 9pm and with medication, X-ray, equipment, spoke to two doctors, we were out of hospital by 10.30.
"I had an MRI and referral already booked with results by the next day, so everything was done within 48 hours."
Fraser, whose partner Keiran Hayes plays for Azzurri's men's team and is in Australia on a bridging visa towards permanent residency, now faces surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process.
The 23-year-old will need surgery and is unable to work at her job in aged care for the foreseeable future.
Azzurri teammate Madi Gallegos has set up a GoFundMe page to support their fearless leaders' medical costs on the road to recovery.
Nearly $9000 has already been raised.
"I'm OK," Fraser said. "I'm just trying to take it day by day, and I'm blessed that I have so many people who are helping me, which is just wonderful.
"The support and love that I've received, not only from this community but the soccer community, I know there are so many people out there who have my back, and I'm feeling the love.
"I've had a message from at least a player in every club in this league. It goes to show there's much more to the game, which I appreciate, and it actually is pushing me every single day and it's making me excited to see where I come out at the end of this new journey."
READ MORE:
It is a huge blow for the defending champions, who are in a two-way tussle with Maitland for the premiership as the competition approaches its pointy end.
On Sunday, second-placed Azzurri host last-placed Broadmeadow at Lisle Carr Oval (4pm).
Leaders Maitland were away to fifth-placed Adamstown on Friday night.
Lake Macquarie look set to unleash A-League strike weapon Lara Gooch against New Lambton at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility on Saturday (5pm).
The fourth-placed Golden Eagles (23 points) can climb ahead of third-placed Newcastle Olympic (24), who have the bye, with a win.
In NPL Men on Saturday, Azzurri host Cooks Hill (2pm), Lambton are home to Valentine (2pm) and New Lambton travel to Belmont Swansea (2.30pm).
On Sunday, Adamstown are away to Weston (2pm), Olympic play Edgeworth at Darling Street Oval (2pm) and Magic battle Maitland at Magic Park (4.30pm).
Jayna Fraser has been drawing strength from an outpouring of community support after being devastated by season-ending injuries in the Northern NSW Football Women's State Cup final at Speers Point on Sunday night.
The American, who is Charlestown Azzurri's NPL Women's first-grade captain, was making a tackle when she sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), torn medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL), patella displacement, and severe bone bruising in her right knee.
"I really went for it, I guess," Fraser, who is trying to stay optimistic, said.
"It was just the way that I turned. There was an instant pop and my whole leg just went weak. The first thought was, I knew I did damage."
Fraser lay on the field in agony for almost two hours waiting for an ambulance before a decision was made the transport the 23-year-old attacking midfielder to Lake Macquarie Private Hospital for treatment and assessment.
"We felt like that was going to be able to get me in quickest based on the pain that I was in; I was not well," she said.
"They were wonderful. They got me in right away. We got there probably about 9pm and with medication, X-ray, equipment, spoke to two doctors, we were out of hospital by 10.30.
"I had an MRI and referral already booked with results by the next day, so everything was done within 48 hours."
Fraser, whose partner Keiran Hayes plays for Azzurri's men's team and is in Australia on a bridging visa towards permanent residency, now faces surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process.
The 23-year-old will need surgery and is unable to work at her job in aged care for the foreseeable future.
Azzurri teammate Madi Gallegos has set up a GoFundMe page to support their fearless leaders' medical costs on the road to recovery.
Nearly $9000 has already been raised.
"I'm OK," Fraser said. "I'm just trying to take it day by day, and I'm blessed that I have so many people who are helping me, which is just wonderful.
"The support and love that I've received, not only from this community but the soccer community, I know there are so many people out there who have my back, and I'm feeling the love.
"I've had a message from at least a player in every club in this league. It goes to show there's much more to the game, which I appreciate, and it actually is pushing me every single day and it's making me excited to see where I come out at the end of this new journey."
READ MORE:
It is a huge blow for the defending champions, who are in a two-way tussle with Maitland for the premiership as the competition approaches its pointy end.
On Sunday, second-placed Azzurri host last-placed Broadmeadow at Lisle Carr Oval (4pm).
Leaders Maitland were away to fifth-placed Adamstown on Friday night.
Lake Macquarie look set to unleash A-League strike weapon Lara Gooch against New Lambton at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility on Saturday (5pm).
The fourth-placed Golden Eagles (23 points) can climb ahead of third-placed Newcastle Olympic (24), who have the bye, with a win.
In NPL Men on Saturday, Azzurri host Cooks Hill (2pm), Lambton are home to Valentine (2pm) and New Lambton travel to Belmont Swansea (2.30pm).
On Sunday, Adamstown are away to Weston (2pm), Olympic play Edgeworth at Darling Street Oval (2pm) and Magic battle Maitland at Magic Park (4.30pm).
Jayna Fraser has been drawing strength from an outpouring of community support after being devastated by season-ending injuries in the Northern NSW Football Women's State Cup final at Speers Point on Sunday night.
The American, who is Charlestown Azzurri's NPL Women's first-grade captain, was making a tackle when she sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), torn medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL), patella displacement, and severe bone bruising in her right knee.
"I really went for it, I guess," Fraser, who is trying to stay optimistic, said.
"It was just the way that I turned. There was an instant pop and my whole leg just went weak. The first thought was, I knew I did damage."
Fraser lay on the field in agony for almost two hours waiting for an ambulance before a decision was made the transport the 23-year-old attacking midfielder to Lake Macquarie Private Hospital for treatment and assessment.
"We felt like that was going to be able to get me in quickest based on the pain that I was in; I was not well," she said.
"They were wonderful. They got me in right away. We got there probably about 9pm and with medication, X-ray, equipment, spoke to two doctors, we were out of hospital by 10.30.
"I had an MRI and referral already booked with results by the next day, so everything was done within 48 hours."
Fraser, whose partner Keiran Hayes plays for Azzurri's men's team and is in Australia on a bridging visa towards permanent residency, now faces surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process.
The 23-year-old will need surgery and is unable to work at her job in aged care for the foreseeable future.
Azzurri teammate Madi Gallegos has set up a GoFundMe page to support their fearless leaders' medical costs on the road to recovery.
Nearly $9000 has already been raised.
"I'm OK," Fraser said. "I'm just trying to take it day by day, and I'm blessed that I have so many people who are helping me, which is just wonderful.
"The support and love that I've received, not only from this community but the soccer community, I know there are so many people out there who have my back, and I'm feeling the love.
"I've had a message from at least a player in every club in this league. It goes to show there's much more to the game, which I appreciate, and it actually is pushing me every single day and it's making me excited to see where I come out at the end of this new journey."
READ MORE:
It is a huge blow for the defending champions, who are in a two-way tussle with Maitland for the premiership as the competition approaches its pointy end.
On Sunday, second-placed Azzurri host last-placed Broadmeadow at Lisle Carr Oval (4pm).
Leaders Maitland were away to fifth-placed Adamstown on Friday night.
Lake Macquarie look set to unleash A-League strike weapon Lara Gooch against New Lambton at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility on Saturday (5pm).
The fourth-placed Golden Eagles (23 points) can climb ahead of third-placed Newcastle Olympic (24), who have the bye, with a win.
In NPL Men on Saturday, Azzurri host Cooks Hill (2pm), Lambton are home to Valentine (2pm) and New Lambton travel to Belmont Swansea (2.30pm).
On Sunday, Adamstown are away to Weston (2pm), Olympic play Edgeworth at Darling Street Oval (2pm) and Magic battle Maitland at Magic Park (4.30pm).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Tomic hits new comeback milestone
Bernard Tomic is back in the world's top 200 despite losing the final of a Challenger event in the US and has jumped ahead of a raft of compatriots as his career resurgence continues. It's the former world No.17's highest ranking since 2020 and drew applause from Nick Kyrgios, who posted on social media that it brought a 'smile to my face' when Tomic reached the final of the Lexington Open. Tomic, 32, playing his first Challenger Tour final since October 2024, lost in three sets to American Zachary Svajda, but making the decider helped Tomic jump 27 places to 184 in the world, just behind injured fellow Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis at 178. Tomic registered his first ATP tour win since 2021 at the Mallorca Open in Spain before Wimbledon, and his rankings surge opens the door for US Open qualifying. While Tomic continues to push towards the top 150, fellow Aussie Alex de Minaur lifted himself to No.7 on the live ATP rankings as he surged into the quarter-finals at the Canadian Open, joining last year's winner, and countryman, Alexei Popyrin in the final eight. On the back of his title in Washington last week, de Minaur outlasted seventh-seeded American Frances Tiafoe 6-2 4-6 6-4 in their round-of-16 clash in Toronto. 'It was never going to be easy, and Frances has the ability to turn the switch on whenever he wants, so it is always very tricky to put him away,'' de Minaur said after the match. 'I think I battled him, myself and the conditions, and I am happy to sneak away with the win today.'
West Australian
2 hours ago
- West Australian
Karl Vilips: Hole-in-one joy for West Aussie at Wyndham Championship
WA rookie Karl Vilips has scored his first hole-in-one on the US PGA Tour to cap off a consistent tournament as American Cameron Young broke through for his first title at the Wyndham Championship in North Carolina. Vilips scored his ace with a 179-yard shot on the third hole using an eight iron. His final-day 67 followed earlier rounds of 67, 67 and 69 for a four-round total of 270, 10 under for the tournament, leaving him in a tie for 19th place. Vilips was the leading Australian at Greensboro, but finished a distant 12 shots behind first-time PGA winner Young. The American shot a two-under-par 68 in the final round and wasn't challenged on his way to his first PGA Tour victory on Sunday (local time). 'It's the end of my fourth season and I've had my chances -never quite like this,' Young said. 'I wasn't going to let it get away from me.' Young strung together five consecutive early birdies and cruised to a six-stroke triumph at 22-under 258 at Sedgefield Country Club, where he matched the tournament scoring record. The American, who began the day with a five-stroke advantage, became the 1000th different winner in the history of the PGA Tour. He had previously been a seven-time runner-up. After tapping in the final putt, Young hugged his caddie and began to walk off the green. 'Where do I go?' he said. 'I've never done this before.' Mac Meissner posted 66 to finish runner-up at 16 under. Mark Hubbard (63) and Sweden's Alex Noren (64) tied for third place at 15 under. Amateur Jackson Koivun (67), a junior golfer at Auburn University, Chris Kirk (68) and defending champion Aaron Rai (68) of England shared fifth place at 14 under. Playing not far from the Wake Forest campus where he went to college, Young was in control for most of the tournament. After a bogey on the first hole on Sunday, Young put together his string of birdies for what became a nine-stroke advantage. He then had pars on nine consecutive holes before bogeys on the par-3 16th and par-4 17th. He barely missed a birdie attempt on the last hole. The final margin marked the third-largest winning spread on the tour this year. He became the tour's 12th first-time winner of the season. 'I've been waiting for this for a while,' he said. Denny McCarthy matched Hubbard's 63 for the best score on Sunday and ended up at 12 under, tied for 11th place. Of the other Australians in the field, Cam Davis finished in a tie for 44th place at four under, a shot ahead of Adam Scott (tied for 55th), with Aaron Baddeley tied for 72nd spot at two over. The tournament marks the final regular-season event on the tour, with golfers needing to finish in the top 70 of the season standings to advance to the FedEx Cup playoffs beginning on Thursday.
7NEWS
2 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Alex de Minaur stuns tennis world with mind-blowing point in win over Frances Tiafoe
Alex de Minaur has stunned the tennis world with a remarkable point on his way to the quarter-finals of the Canadian Open. In a battle between two of the best movers on the men's circuit, ninth-seeded de Minaur fought off seventh-seeded American Frances Tiafoe 6-2 4-6 6-4 in their round-of-16 clash in Toronto on Sunday (local time). Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today The Australian got off to a sizzling start, racing through the first set 6-2 before Tiafoe regrouped in the second to force the match into a decider. But it was at 4-4 and deuce in the deciding set when the match was turned on its head with one of the points of the year. Tiafoe, who was serving, appeared to have done enough to win the point several times, only for de Minaur to extend the point with some unbelievable shots. The American crunched a short forehand wide into the corner, but was left shocked as de Minaur anticipated it and miraculously kept the ball back in play. Tiafoe then played a clever drop shot, but de Minuar then showed off his blistering pace to chase it down and force his opponent into an error. The Aussie then landed the crucial break before serving out the match. But it was that pivotal point that had everyone talking. 'Are you kidding me? The Demon at his vert best,' the commentator said. 'There's just some turbo boosters with that movement, that was just unbelievable.' De Minaur's renowned return game held him in good stead as he converted five of the 10 break points he generated during the match, compared with the American's three of seven chances. However, the Australian will be looking for an improvement on his service game for his quarter-final, after landing just 42 per cent of his first deliveries. Tiafoe hit more aces than de Minaur (10 to six) and more winners (29 to 23), but the American also gave up more free points with unforced 49 errors, compared with 35 from his opponent. 'It was never going to be easy, and Frances has the ability to turn the switch on whenever he wants, so it is always very tricky to put him away,'' de Minaur said after the match. 'I think I battled him, myself and the conditions, and I am happy to sneak away with the win today.'' De Minaur has found a rich vein of form in the countdown to the year's final major, the US Open on the hard courts at Flushing Meadows in New York, which starts on August 24. The Australian is already a two-time US Open quarter-finalist (2020 and 2024) and has his sights set on making his first grand slam semi-final, having reached the quarters of all four majors. His timing could not be better, de Minaur coming to Toronto after clinching the Washington Open singles championship last week, his 10th ATP Tour title. The Washington event was also played on hard courts, making the Aussie one of the most in-form players on the surface. His win over Tiafoe stretched de Minaur's winning streak to eight matches. De Minaur has previously reached the Canadian Open final, losing the 2023 decider against Italy's Jannik Sinner, who has since risen to the top of the world rankings. De Minaur is not the only Australian left in the men's singles in Toronto, with 18th seed and defending champion Alexei Popyrin to take on top-seeded German Alexander Zverev. Both of the quarter-finals will be played on Monday (Tuesday AEST).
