Azzurri entered the women's league this year in place of the highly successful Merewether, who are the only club to have won three championships in Herald Women's Premier League.

But Charlestown finished sixth on 18 points, 10 adrift of the top four when the competition was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The club is eyeing a return to finals football as the competition comes under the National Premier Leagues Women's umbrella in 2022.

Jets trio Cassidy Davis, Tara Andrews and Lauren Allan have returned to the league after two seasons playing in NSW NPLW. They have signed with Warners Bay.

Simon last played locally for South Wallsend in 2019. The Jets left-back is one of the most capped players in A-League Women's history with 138 appearances.

Azzurri coach Niko Papaspiropoulos is likely to use Simon in a more forward role and is excited to see what the 31-year-old can bring to his squad.

"A player like Gema brings a lot of quality and experience to a team and the mentality of a professional level," Papaspiropoulos said.

"When you have players like that in your team, it helps you set the culture and mentality through the team and through your younger age groups as well in terms of what you want to achieve if you want to be winning the competition."

The Azzurri mentor is yet to confirm any other signings but told the Newcastle Herald the bulk of his squad would be returning.

"You want to be locking in key players first and then you build around those core players, so, it's good to have one of those players in as early as you can," he said.

"We've locked in most of our core and are just looking at a few more players now, just trying to round off the squad. We're just looking for a few more pieces, I guess, to bring in. But, it's not looking too bad."

Maitland's new coach David Walker told the Herald last week he was also hoping to boost his squad with some high-profile players.

Newcastle Olympic striker Jemma House was the only current Jet playing in the NNSW league last season.

"Across the board it is looking like a good season next year from the way teams are lining up with a few more quality players coming back to the competition," Papaspiropoulos said.

"For me as a player, I've always liked the challenge of coming up against quality opposition. It gives a drive for everyone in the competition to be playing against those players and probably means a bit more when they get a win, or even just in the individual battle on the pitch as well."

In August, Azzurri announced the signing of former Jets captain Nigel Boogaard for their NNSW NPL Men's side.

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