I know this article is a bit late, but I wanted to write about the impact of women on football from my own perspective.
From July 20-22, the AFL celebrated the contribution of women to our great game by holding the annual AFL Women’s Round. The purpose of the week is to acknowledge the women in the game, whether it be in a professional sense or even just local footy.
In particular, i would like to acknowledge the impact that my mother and sister have had on my junior footballing years.
Firstly, about my mother: she has without a doubt had the most substantial influence on my opportunities to play football.
After moving back to S.A. from N.S.W. and being in rugby league heartland, i had no real idea about playing Aussie rules. But after growing up a mad Adelaide crows and Norwood Redlegs supporter, mum was there to show me the way.
In my second year of under 10s, mum began her involvement as our team manager. Every Friday night was spent writing up the team sheets and filling up the water bottles.
Then, when it came to game day we would be up bright and early and off to footy.
Even when i moved into under 12s, mum was our team manager. And she did so without complaining, doing the job brilliantly.
Once i moved in to colts football, mum didn’t have any official duties but still she drove me and my brother every week to every game no matter where it was.
After every game, no matter how i play, she is always there for me with encouragement and advice and also lets me vent any frustration.
Along with mum, there has always been my older sister. I will always remember when i started playing colts football and if there was no one to run water, she was always happy to help.
That isn’t so much the case these days but she still tries to come out and watch me and my brother every week, which means a lot.
I know that this may not seem much, but it is to me.
I am sure that there are thousands of boys playing football that have their mum to thank for their involvement in the game.
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Things heating up in Canberra!
Diplomatically answered, Darcy!
For all the pomp and circumstance that surrounds the now-traditional Anzac Day clash at the MCG, there has been one thing conspicuously lacking over…
Old mate summing it up better than anyone possibly could!
