How former a Matildas coach turned Sarina Bolden’s in one of the league’s best scorers

Newcastle Jets Sarina Bolden scored one goal last season - this year she has 14. The World Cup star credits her incredible form to former Matildas coach Alen Stajcic.

Sarina Bolden has 14 goals this season. Picture: Getty Images

From one goal wonder to unstoppable in front of the net – Newcastle Jets’ goal scoring maestro Sarina Bolden credits her new found form to former Matildas coach Alen Stajcic.

Stajcic coached the Matildas from 2014-2019 and took on the top job with the Philippines women’s national team in 2021 – guiding them to their first FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance.

It was Bolden who scored the Philippines first World Cup goal.

The 27-year-old forward said it was the World Cup and Stajcic’s coaching that reignited her love for football and sparked the incredible form she has been in this A-League's season.

“Definitely the World Cup has had a little bit to do with my success,” Bolden said.

“Making history with the Philippines National Team, getting a win when no one really expected it, being able to score and being able to make an impact definitely gave me confidence in a way I don’t know if I would have gotten in any other tournament.

Sarina Bolden is back in love with football. Picture: Getty Images

“Going into the season right after that, playing off that confidence and taking everything I’d learned from Staj, I think I’ve carried that with me and I’ve taken all those learnings from him and still applied that to my game this season.”

Bolden said Staj had a unique way of coaching that resonated with her.

“His dedication reinvigorated my love for football, he loves it so much and I could see it through his work and the way he coached us and I think that really started the foundation for everything,” she said.

“He helped me with my soccer IQ and just little things as a footballer and as a striker. He gave me things to work on and framed it in a way that no coach had been able to explain it to me before – I’ve been using all those teachings to this point in time.”

Bolden almost didn’t get a chance to show off her revamped skills and passion in the A-League's this season though. She played for Western Sydney Wanderers in the 2022/23 season but wasn’t offered a new contract for this season.

Newcastle face Melbourne City on Sunday. Picture: Getty Images

Just as Bolden was starting to question if she would have to look at playing elsewhere the Newcastle Jets came knocking. She started in November – just more than a month after the league started.

It makes her 14 goal tally for the season even more impressive.

While it was Staj that got Bolden firing again the striker said it was the Jets who helped her really find her feet.

“I’ve got a good foundation here,” Bolden said. “I’ve got stability and Newcastle is a beautiful place, I’ve got a beach in my backyard, amazing coffee and my partner has just been so amazing in supporting me and just going everywhere with me.

Bolden only trails Michelle Heyman in the goal scoring this season. Picture: Getty Images

“Leading up to that I’d spent so long living out of the suitcase – first it was the US, then I was in Japan and then travelling all over to prepare for the World Cup – so I finally got my footing and I think all of those things have helped me be successful this season.”

Bolden will lead the Jets attack when they take on premiers Melbourne City in the first of the two-legged semi-final on Sunday.

“We have a huge respect for (City), they won the premiership this season so we are not going to take them lightly and I know they won’t take us lightly,” Bolden said.

“We just need to keep doing what we’ve been doing, no need to do this completely different thing. I really do believe we are the dominant team.”

Newcastle Jets will play City at Maitland Sportsground at 3pm on Sunday.