Jade North

Jade North
Jade North
Born	Jade Bronson North; January 7, 1982 (age 44); Taree, Australia
Occupation	Professional footballer (retired)
Years active	1999–2023
Known for	Australian national team player; co-chair of Football Australia's National Indigenous Advisory Group
Notable work	Founder of "Kickin' With A Cuz"

Jade Bronson North (born 7 January 1982) is a retired Australian professional footballer who operated primarily as a centre back or right back. He has represented the Australian national team and, as of November 2021, holds the position of co-chair for Football Australia's first-ever National Indigenous Advisory Group.

Early life

Born in Taree, North is of Biripi heritage. He spent his early childhood in New Zealand until the age of 11, after which his family relocated to Sunnybank, a suburb of Brisbane. He completed his secondary education at Sunnybank High School before being accepted into the AIS in Canberra at 15 years old.

Club career

North’s professional journey began with the Brisbane Strikers as one of the youngest competitors in the National Soccer League. He subsequently transferred to Perth Glory. Following Paul Okon's exit, North was appointed captain of the Newcastle Jets for the 2007–08 A-League campaign.

In June 2008, speculation arose linking North with Belgian side Club Brugge and Armenian club Mika F.C., though no formal offers were made. On 3 November 2008, he was announced as the inaugural marquee signing for North Queensland Fury ahead of the 2009–10 A-League season. However, by December 2008, North secured a contract reportedly worth $2 million with South Korean outfit Incheon United, prompting Fury to release him from his commitment.

After trialing with Swedish club Trelleborg, North finalized a deal with Norwegian team Tromsø IL on 26 February 2010. His tenure there lasted four months before he signed a one-year contract with Wellington Phoenix in July 2010.

On 2 April 2011, North moved to Japanese second division side FC Tokyo. Later, on 8 January 2013, he agreed to a three-and-a-half-year contract with Brisbane Roar in the A-League, where he remained until April 2018 after five seasons.

On 15 May 2019, North joined National Premier League Victoria 2 club Murray United for the remainder of that season.

Marking his 41st birthday on 7 January 2023, North rejoined the Brisbane Strikers ahead of the upcoming Football Queensland Premier League season, bringing veteran leadership and expertise to the squad.

International career

North’s international prominence began when he played every match for Australia’s runner-up team at the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship, which ended with a penalty shootout loss to Brazil. He was also part of Australia’s squad that reached the quarter-finals at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

In 2008, prior to Australia’s qualifying match for the 2010 World Cup against China, North became the first Indigenous Socceroos captain during a goalless draw against Singapore.

Additionally, he competed in the football tournament at the 2008 Olympics held in Beijing.

Other roles

In 2017, North founded "Kickin' With A Cuz," a charitable soccer initiative designed to engage young people through football while fostering sustainable development pathways and enhancing life prospects.

In November 2021, he was named co-chair of Football Australia’s inaugural National Indigenous Advisory Group, which aims to boost Indigenous involvement within the sport.

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season, and competition
Club	Season	League^{[lower-alpha 1]}			National cup^{[lower-alpha 2]}		League cup^{[lower-alpha 3]}		Continental^{[lower-alpha 4]}		Other		Total
Club	Season	Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Newcastle Jets	2005–06	A-League	21	0							3^{[lower-alpha 5]}	0	24	0
	2006–07		18	1							5^{[lower-alpha 5]}	1	23	2
	2007–08		25	0							4^{[lower-alpha 5]}	0	29	0
	2008–09		16	1							0^{[lower-alpha 5]}	0	16	1
	Total		80	2							12	1	92	3
Incheon United	2009	K League	9	0									9	0
Tromsø IL	2010	Tippeligaen	6	0	2	0							8	0
Wellington Phoenix	2010–11	A-League	19	0									19	0
FC Tokyo	2011	J2 League	4	0									4	0
Consadole Sapporo	2012	J1 League	21	0			2	0					23	0
Brisbane Roar	2012–13	A-League	10	0					1	0			11	0
	2013–14		22	1									22	1
	2014–15		19	0									19	0
	2015–16		29	3									29	3
	2016–17		26	0									26	0
	2017–18		9	0					3	0			9	0
	Total		115	4					4	0			119	4
Career total			254	6	2	0	2	0	4	0	12	1	274	7