Who will wear the captain's armband for Newcastle during the coming A-League season?

The Jets are searching for a new skipper after the recent retirement of inspirational Nigel Boogaard, who led his home-town club in 121 A-League games over the course of six seasons, including their heartbreaking 2017-18 grand final defeat.

Boogaard's regular deputy, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, has also been released, along with Irish veteran Roy O'Donovan, leaving Newcastle without their three long-term senior pros.

Of the host of new recruits Papas has signed to revitalise the squad, the most likely captaincy candidate would appear to be former Socceroo Matt Jurman.

At 31, Jurman will be one of Papas' senior players, and if appointed he would continue a proud tradition of central defenders as Newcastle's skipper, from championship-winning Jade North through to Boogaard and Topor-Stanley.

"Matt's career speaks for itself," Papas said.

"He's been with the Socceroos at a World Cup.

"He's played at some of the biggest clubs in Asia, so clearly when you look at Matt Jurman's CV, he comes into the reckoning straight away ... he'd be part of the discussion, guaranteed."

In saying that, Papas sees no need to make a decision imminently, given that Newcastle's opening A-League match is not until November 21 and they are still awaiting a clearance to start playing pre-season friendlies.

"The stage we're at, until we start playing some matches, we don't need to make that decision right now," Papas said.

"What that allows is time for everyone to find out naturally where they sit.

"We've got guys here who people might not think of as leaders, but I've been impressed by them. So we'll make that decision when the time is right."

Home-grown Jason Hoffman might be another option for Papas to consider.

At 32, Hoffman is a veteran of 242 A-League games. And as a born-and-bred Novocastrian, his passion for the team and the city is unsurpassed.

Papas sees the captaincy as more than just a (c) on the team sheet.

"It's very clearly an important leadership role in the organisation," he said.

"The captain has to display certain behaviours that we want to represent on a daily basis.

"But every team is different. Sometimes a strong leadership group is the way to go. Other times there might be a strong captain who stands out very clearly.

"The model changes depending on the environment and what the club needs."

Meanwhile, Jets midfielder Cassidy Davis has applauded the re-branding of the domestic women's competition and hopes an expanded season will be the next step towards gender parity.

Australia's top-tier men's and women's soccer competitions, the A-League and W-League, will be known as A-League Men and A-League Women respectively from this season onwards.

"It's nice to see that we're all counted as one," Davis said. "I just think it's a really good step in a good direction for women's football."

A home-and-away season is next on her wish list.

"There's still a fair bit of work to be done for us to be completely equal with the men," she said.

"I think the next step would be home-and-away games and a longer season ... I really do think a home-and-away series and some increase in pay would definitely benefit the girls."