Carney maintains the hunger

The club captain is hungry to lead her NSW Women's NPL side to the top, with their campaign starting at JJ Kelly Park against the Emerging Jets on Sunday.

It shapes as an important year for the Stingrays, who struggled to adjust to the shortened 2020 season, registering just four wins.

However, Carney remains optimistic of a quick turnaround this season.

"Last year, I think the motivation was hard," she said.

"We had a great pre-season (last year) and were looking really good and then we had a long break. When we came back, our heads weren't really into it, because it was only set to be half a season. So we lost a bit of motivation.

"Coming into this year, it's been a longer pre-season again but it's been good. I think it's going to be as tough as ever with the competition. There's so much competition in the team this year."

While disappointed to finish ninth last year, Carney was buoyed by the performances of their young talent, led by the likes of Margaux Chauvet and Bronte Trew.

And there's more gems ready to shine in 2021.

"We've got two young ones that have come in that look good, Lulu Lozano and Ursula Bratjanscak. Lulu has come from Marconi and Ursula from 'Sutho'," Carney said. "For me, I'd love to win it and then make the grand final, because we haven't been there for a couple of years. Obviously I'm still reasonably fit which helps. That keeps me going, and I'm still enjoying the game."