Jayda Clark back with the UC Capitals for the 25/26 WNBL season
After spending most of the past year rehabbing her knee, Jayda Clark is eager to get her WNBL career back on track with the UC Capitals in the 25/26 season.
Clark debuted for the Caps in the 23/24 season as an 18-year-old, playing 21 games and providing solid backcourt minutes. Her versatility and flashes of potential figured to have her as a key part of the rotation for the 24/25 Capitals season, but unfortunately, she tore her ACL in the first game of her 2024 NBL1 West campaign.
“It has been a long journey, there’s been a lot of tough times, but it’s one that I’ve benefited from and right now it’s the best I’ve felt in a long time,” said Jayda.
“I’ve played a couple games now with Perry Lakes (NBL1 West) and it’s been a lot of fun.”
UC Capitals Coach Paul Goriss is excited to have Jayda back on the roster, noting that her size as a guard is a good addition that will help bolster the team’s positional depth.
“It’s exciting for her to get a full season of NBL1 under her belt and roll that into the incoming WNBL season. I envision that she’ll be an important part of what we do because of her size, and I’ve been in constant communication with her on areas where she can improve while playing NBL1,” he said.
“But she’s in great shape, she looks strong and fit and she’s been very diligent with her rehab and getting her body ready physically, now it’s just getting game reps in, but I think she’ll definitely have a big role for us at both ends of the floor.”
Clark has had a stellar start to her 2025 NBL1 campaign – through four games for the Hawks, she has averaged 14.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3 assists, as she continues to ramp up in the lead up to her second season in the WNBL.
“Individually, I’m not really putting any pressure on myself, but I have ultimate confidence in what I’m bringing and the work that I’ve put in the past year,” she said.
“Right now, my focus is with the Hawks, but I’m really excited to come back to Canberra later this year. We have some good young pieces locked in and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do.”
“I didn’t get the chance to play at the AIS last season, but I’m super excited to play in front of the Canberra crowd again. They can expect fiery energy and a lot of competitiveness.”
“I feel refreshed, I can’t wait to bring the energy back, be the best version of myself and do whatever the coaches need me to do to help the team win.”