It seems an age since Bundoora United custodian Bethany Mason-Jones made her Women’s Premier League debut as a sprightly 15-year-old for the Emerging Athletes Program – that afternoon her side triumphed over FC Bulleen Lions 4-1.
It was an introduction to an often-unforgiving competition, especially in such an important position tasked with preventing the breach of goals. Despite a stop-start second season in the WPL system, she’s now at the end of her third, blossoming into a stopper the envy of many clubs in the league.
Her season with the EAP in 2013 ended in a seventh place finish under Dave Edmondson, flourishing in the professional set-up of the elite pathway club.
“I loved getting to train and play five or six times a week. Playing against the boys was really exciting, it also helped my game a lot,” Mason-Jones says.
“EAP really marked the end of my junior football, after playing senior football I knew it would never be anything less for me.”
The season after saw her make the move to South Melbourne under the tutelage of Bill Mihaloudis, but she soon saw game time limited with Shanel Camilleri taking the mantle as first-choice goalkeeper. It was a forgettable spell at the title-winning side, with coaches flowing in and out of the club throughout the season. In stepped Bundoora and coaches Mark Torcaso and Paul Kilpatrick, who extended their arms out to help the young stopper mid-season.
“Last year, I felt like I was still adjusting after making the move towards the end of the season,” says Mason-Jones on her 2014 season.
“But it’s my first full year at the club and I’m seizing every opportunity, every training session and every game to help develop myself to be the best player I can.”
This season has seen her come on leaps and bounds as a keeper, with a marked improvement in nearly all aspects of her game. She’s faster off her line, better positioned and an all-round better shot-stopper than the keeper who self-admittedly was blighted by the inconsistencies of swapping clubs three times in 2014. Now, with a club she can call home, Mason-Jones has added consistency to her game not only in the club she plays for, but also consistency on the pitch.
“I’m really happy at Bundy. I feel like it’s the perfect fit for me. Although it’s not the closest club for me to get to, the girls are amazing, the coaches are great and I really enjoy the training sessions,” she says.
“It’s been a tough year for myself balancing soccer and year 12, but everyone at the club has been really supportive. It’s like my second home.
“Torcs and Paul have been good supporters of me this year and they both push me to be better. I’m also a very self driven person when it comes to my soccer, it doesn’t take much for me to want to get in the gym or out on the training field to work hard and develop my game.”
At just 17 years of age, Mason-Jones played the full 1980 minutes made available in the league and continues to develop a mature head that belies her years. Along with that, she earned the Golden Glove award for the most clean sheets in the league, shutting out the opposition 10 times in 22 games.
“I’m really thrilled to be given this award especially with so many talented keepers in the league,” she says.
“I really think the standard in both goalkeepers and outfielders compared from last year to this year has seen great improvement, resulting in a much stronger league and more competitive matches each round.
“This season I feel like my game has improved vastly and I’m a much more confident player. I’ve been working hard and taking on board the feedback from my coaches and teammates.”
A lot of that confidence has been bred from the interaction between Mason-Jones and the defence in front of her, who have not only been superb in shutting out opposition forwards, but have also dictated the tempo of games from their defensive half. Her confidence in her defence allows them to take the game on without fear; likewise, they’re comfortable doing so because of the trust they have in their keeper to mop up danger should they make a mistake.
“Our strong line of defence has been a key factor in our success this season, but don’t let that take away from the rest of the team. Everyone works hard for each other out there,” she says.
“[But] my defence and I have a mutual trust, in which I have every confidence in them as they do in me. I think that’s been the real difference this season, for me at least, them having belief in me as their keeper allows us all to relax that little bit more out on the pitch.
“With a defence like mine you can expect that it’s going to make my job that little bit easier. With quality players like Teej [Tyla-Jay Vlajnic], G [Gulcan Koca], Frisk [Claudia Fruscalzo] and Mon [Monique Iannella] there, I couldn’t feel much safer, even when other players such as Danny [Daniella Galluccio] and [Jess] Pitts have to slot in it’s just as solid.
“It’s a great relationship if you ask me.”
Bundoora United are back in action against Heidelberg United, in yet another WPL Elimination Final between the pair. Kick-off at Epping Stadium is schedule for 7.45pm on Saturday night.