From Shift Work to Football Glory: Lauren Allan's Remarkable Journey
Newcastle's own Lauren Allan is set to achieve what few have accomplished in the history of the A-League Women's competition. This Saturday at No.2 Sportsground, the dedicated wide player will make her 100th appearance for the Newcastle Jets, becoming just the fifth player to reach this significant milestone since the women's league began in 2008.
What makes Allan's achievement even more remarkable is the balancing act she maintains between professional football and her full-time career as a radiographer at Belmont Hospital. The 29-year-old has successfully navigated the challenges of shift work while maintaining her position as one of the Jets' most consistent performers.
The Dual Life of a Professional Athlete
Lauren Allan never imagined she would reach 100 A-League appearances, let alone achieve this feat exclusively with her hometown club. "I'm really looking forward to it and it's extra special to be able to be at home," Allan shared ahead of the milestone match. "It's probably the best we've started in a long time, four points from two away trips, so I'm hoping we get a win to make it extra special."
The reality for most A-League Women's players involves supplementing the league's minimum wage of $26,500 for a 35-week commitment with additional employment. Many athletes are forced to retire early to pursue more financially stable careers, making Allan's seven-season journey to 100 games particularly impressive.
"It's tough sometimes," Allan admitted after an early-morning training session at Hunter Sports Centre. "I've already texted my boss today to say I'd be late. It's tricky, but the girls make it easier and my work does as well, just switch shifts and my boss being great with that bit of flexibility."
Joining an Elite Group of Jets Legends
Allan will join an exclusive club of Jets legends who have reached the century mark, including current captain Cassidy Davis (177 games) and Matildas alumni Tara Andrews (131), Gema Simon (134), and Hannah Brewer (103).
Her journey to the Jets was anything but conventional. Unlike many of her home-grown teammates, Allan didn't come through the club's youth program. Instead, she developed her skills in the United States college system before being discovered by former Jets coach Craig Deans in 2019 while playing for New Lambton in Northern NSW Football's premier women's competition.
"Deansy saw me with Tars [Tara Andrews] playing for New Lambton," Allan recalled. "I'd just come back from America, so it was quite random to be honest. I remember coming on and I was chasing down Ellie Carpenter, so I was straight into it."
Proving Her Worth On and Off the Field
Allan's dedication to both her professions was tested last season when a last-minute fixture change meant she missed an important tactical session due to her work roster. The consequence was being benched for the first time in two-and-a-half years.
Rather than becoming discouraged, Allan came on in the 70th minute against Sydney FC and delivered a stunning performance. With the Jets reduced to 10 players for 58 minutes, Allan set up a late equaliser before producing a spectacular outside-of-the-foot winner deep into stoppage time to secure a memorable 2-1 victory.
Jets captain Cassidy Davis praised Allan's unwavering commitment. "Her work ethic is absolutely unreal. She's a person you want on your team because of her work ethic, and she just gets the job done. She doesn't have any fuss any time and she's very supportive as well."
The Kahibah Football Club junior has scored 21 goals for the Jets, placing her second only to Tara Andrews (45) on the club's all-time scoring list. Her versatility has been equally valuable, with Allan proving equally comfortable playing in an advanced wing role or as a fullback.
As the Jets prepare to host Western Sydney Wanderers this Saturday at 3pm, Allan's milestone game comes at an optimistic time for the team. Newcastle has made an unbeaten start to the season on the road, winning 2-1 away to Canberra before securing a 1-1 draw against Wellington last Sunday.
For Allan, the support from both her workplace and football club has been instrumental in her ability to pursue both passions. "It's good to know there's people out there that support women's sport. If they weren't as easy-going as they are, I wouldn't be able to do both."
