There was a moment in the game where everything stood still. It sounds clichéd but when you’re a part of something so historic it’s important to let it sink in, even just for two seconds until the umpire throws the ball up again.
To be able to take a look around Domain Stadium during the first ever women’s derby between Fremantle and West Coast on Saturday 9 April, and be able to quietly think “How good is this?” is a moment that will remain with me, not only as a football player, but as a person.
I didn’t see the game as a reflection of how far women’s footy has come, but rather a celebration of what the future holds.
That’s not to say I wasn’t nervous. After all, it wasn’t too long ago that I called Geraldton home, my main focus was soccer and what seemed like large responsibilities now paled in comparison to those that lay ahead as the captain of the Freo team in the first ever women’s derby.
Some of the responsibilities were confronting, but they were welcomed.
Whether it was establishing camaraderie between teammates who had only recently played against each other in the State competition, or adjusting to the bright lights of the media scene that accompanied such a significant event.
Each possessed its own difficulty, but that’s exactly what playing football is about, confronting and overcoming challenges and I believe every player that took part did just that.
Many of us did not have football available to us at a younger age. We came from different sporting backgrounds and converged on a national game that can be difficult to learn, but it showed the importance of resolve and surrounding yourself with people who allow you to grow.
Fremantle win licence for inaugural WA women's team
The extent of the quality of people I was surrounded by dawned on me on a crisp Thursday night at Fremantle Oval on 7 April.
We had converged at Freo HQ to receive our match guernseys and hold a training session. To look around and see the enthusiasm my teammates had for the game was outstanding.
To hear our names called out by Lee Spurr and be presented with our playing jumpers really drove home the fact we were contributing to something special, not just for us, for the betterment of Australian sport.
For young girls to be able to watch women’s football on TV and know there will be a competition available for them at the highest level is an incredibly powerful thing.
As for the game itself, words sometimes fail to truly explain the feeling out on the ground that day.
Walking down the race, shoulder-to-shoulder in the Freo colours and being able to stare out and see thousands of like-minded fans who came to appreciate and help grow women’s footy was remarkable.
The game itself didn’t go the way we would’ve liked. We weren’t composed when we needed to be, and as a whole we probably didn’t adjust to the big stage of Domain Stadium quickly enough on the day. But that’s not to say there weren’t positives.
After the game we spoke about making the most of the experience, enjoying the memories and remembering the feeling of the leather in your hands, what it felt like leaving your boot and the roar of the crowd after a big tackle.
I saw the passion for women’s football first hand and that’s exactly what we want... the chance to be included and to play the greatest game on earth.
Being part of the first ever women’s derby is an experience none of us will take for granted and to contribute to something from the ground up was an incredible honour.
Women’s football will only continue to grow and as captain of the Fremantle Dockers women’s team on that historic day, I can’t wait to see the talent continue to flourish and take its place on the biggest stage of all.
WAFC congratulates Fremantle Dockers
On Wednesday 15 June we came one step closer to that sight, with the Fremantle Dockers successful in their bid to have a team in the national women’s league in 2017.
The announcement was made at the MCG and I couldn’t think of a better venue for such an historic occasion.
As a football player, regardless of whether you’re male or female, that’s where you want to play and to see the national competition become a reality on such a stage was special to say the least, and is a massive achievement for women’s football.
Once I heard of the bid Fremantle had submitted for the women’s team I was confident we’d see female footballer’s don the purple in 2017.
The combination of the Elite Training and Administration Facility, partnerships with the city of Cockburn and Curtin University as well as the ongoing commitment Freo have shown to growing women’s football should be seen as not only a credit to the club but the supporters who have been part of the journey as well.
WA has been a breeding ground for football talent and women’s football will continue to flourish with Freo’s representation in the national competition, and I cannot wait to share the experience with all those who want to be a part of history.
