“I love being part of a team sport as an adult. I have made some fantastic friends that I would never have met if not for football. I feel like I am a better parent by doing something that is just for me. Something that makes me happy, so I am a better person to live with.”

Sue, a mum of two from Murrumbeena in Victoria, remembers falling in love with football as a young girl, learning to kick with her dad at age five and playing in the backyard and at school. The sense of freedom, family, and joy from the game has stayed with her. Decades later, she finally returned to the oval, feeling that same thrill as she kicked the Sherrin into a friend’s hands.

Joining a football team might seem easy, but for Sue, it was a long-held dream she only realised when the opportunity arose. Now, as an ambassador for VicHealth’s This Girl Can campaign, she encourages other women, saying, “Look, you can. This Girl Can – and did!”

This Girl Can is a vibrant campaign inspiring everyday women, including mums, to get moving in their own way. This Girl Can Week, from November 10 to 17, celebrates women getting active with beginner-friendly, safe, and inclusive events. To help every woman find movement that works for her, VicHealth is offering free and low-cost activities across Victoria. Discover more at thisgirlcan.com.au.

Read on to learn more of Sue’s story and why she thinks women of all ages, backgrounds and abilities should incorporate movement in their lives:  

Growing up, what were your perceptions about women in sport? Has that changed over time?

Growing up in country Victoria, I thought that there were sports only women played, sports only men played and then those sports that anyone could do. I loved football but I played netball because that's what females did. In the country the netballers and footballers travel to the same town or play at home at the same time. I loved kicking the footy with the boys my age at half time breaks. When I was about 14, the boys said, “you should play footy with us,” but when I asked my dad (who was president of the footy club at the time) he said no because girls didn't play footy. I was so disappointed!

What compelled you to get into football, to train, to try, to commit?

I had always wanted to play. I was a trainer and then assistant coach when my son played football, up until his mid-teenage years. My husband decided to take up football umpiring when he turned 50 as a means of getting fitter. He has always liked it when I came to watch, as I can critique his game. Before I started playing, I kept on wondering how I would get back into football. Finally my turn came and I am so glad I got out of the car to go to that first session.

Now during football season, I am training as a coach and player every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night and have a match day every Saturday. I love it. I love coaching and seeing women develop their confidence.

You debuted playing AFLW at age 53. How did you feel taking to the ground? What was the preparation? What compelled you to take the next step?

“I saw an ad in The Age asking for women over the age of 35 who were interested in playing football to call their nearest masters club. I thought, well, I am definitely over the age of 35 so it is now or never and I really didn't want it to be never.”

I called the club, and they were unsure since I was the first to inquire. They suggested I train with the senior women, but I didn't want that as I felt I was too old for senior football. I put my name down to keep updated with what was happening. A few weeks later a ‘Come and Try’ day was advertised for anyone interested in playing women's masters football. I didn't tell my family that I was going, so no-one could talk me out of it. I arrived at the ground early and wasn't sure where to go so I kept a lookout and other women started to arrive.

“I sat in my car and almost talked myself out of going in. ‘I'm too fat, I'm too old, I'm too unfit’ thoughts were swirling around in my brain. But it was my now or never thought that prevailed so in I went. Best decision ever! I met some women from my area and we all resolved to go to the next training at the club.”

What emotions did you feel attending your first AFLW game? What year did this take place?

I attended the first ever AFLW match on February 3rd 2017 at Ikon Park. It was Collingwood vs. Carlton. I went with a good friend who is a mad Collingwood supporter, and I am definitely not! Yet, I happily donned the Collingwood scarf she gave me as I was so excited to finally see women play football at the highest level. When the teams and umpires lined up for the national anthem I must admit I shed a tear. The roar when the siren went to start play was amazing. I really wished that I had been able to play football when I was in my teens and fit!

What do you think about the stereotypes surrounding women in sport?

It is interesting playing a sport that is very much male dominated. Some of the older men at the club struggled initially with having women at the club and in the social rooms after training. However now the majority have seen the benefits of having women involved. There are more volunteers and keen members of the committee.

One of the best comments I have heard is, “It's so refreshing seeing how much fun and enthusiasm you women have playing footy. It has reminded me that football is fun.” Having said that, clubs that do not have women's teams do not really get it. I spoke to one man about running a beginner’s clinic at their club and he said, “Well, I suppose you can if you don't take up too much room or interfere with what the men are doing.” Yep, no thanks, I don't want to introduce women to a club that does not put them on equal footing.

What message do you hope to send to your children about women and girls in sport?

My children – young adults now – both have a very positive view of women being able to play whatever sport they want. They both are very active. My son plays competitive tennis and my daughter is a bit of a gym junkie. My daughter works in marketing and was recently doing a campaign that focused on being a good influence on others to get active and she said, ‘You know like you do Mum’.

In what ways do you think team sports benefit people? In what ways do you see team sports benefiting women?

I love being part of a team sport as an adult. I have made some fantastic friends that I would never have met if not for football. I feel like I am a better parent by doing something that is just for me. Something that makes me happy, so I am a better person to live with.

What would you say to anyone who feels it is too late to try a sport, or activity – to those who feel it is too late to move, or run, or dance?

“It is never too late to try something new. Often the hardest thing is to actually get out of your car to do that activity in the first place.

I started doing belly dancing in 2006. A friend was doing it and I wanted to give it a go too. Having someone else to go with or even just to encourage you to go, really helps and can get you past that initial hurdle.”

Do you think a lot of what holds us back centres around preconceived ideas about what a woman or girl should be, how they should behave, how they should look?

Most definitely. One of the most asked questions is: What do I wear? In our Master's league we are a bit more flexible and you can wear any length leggings or just shorts at games. We don't want anyone to feel uncomfortable about how they look.

I am a bigger person and sometimes feel that I am too big to be playing football and get self-conscious about how I look, or what I look like in photos. But the fun I have helps me to overcome those feelings as well as the compliments from others on my skills. I think we are often a bit guilty of being overly critical of ourselves.

Movement can take on different forms for women/mums- cleaning, cooking, walking the dog, weeding and so forth. How can we change the perception around this to boost morale to count it as a form of positive movement- as opposed to ‘I didn’t have time to exercise today’?

Exercise certainly does not have to be formalised. We all know how much energy housework takes! I think it's more important to ask, ‘Was I active today?’ rather than, did I do any exercise.

Self-talk- how does this limit us, or motivate us, or free us? Why is self-talk so important when it comes to women and their ability to do, act, believe?

“My self-talk is strong! However, I am also very skillful at coming up with positive self-talk to drown out the negative. The more I practise looking at the positives the more confident I become in my own skin.”

What positive things happen when women encourage other women and girls?

Seeing women develop their confidence in their own abilities has to be the best thing about coaching football. Whether it is a 50-something woman finally getting a strong straight kick or a late teen girl realising she is strong and can put on a tackle. The joy you see on people’s faces when you praise them for something they have done well is so rewarding.

Positive role models. Who would you name among yours and why? How have they positively influenced your life and health?

My mother was never very sporty and not really involved in our sports when we were younger. My dad however, loved sport and getting involved in what his three daughters were doing (apart from not letting me play football). He taught me how to kick a football when I was probably about five. I can still remember being in the backyard and kicking the footy. He recently passed away which is sad but I fondly remember the time he took to be involved in all our sporting endeavours.

“He was so proud of me playing football. He often came to watch me play and after seeing my first game he said, ‘I don't think I have ever seen you run that much’.”

What five words spring to mind when you hear This Girl Can?

1. Active

2. Fun

3. Confident

4. Happy

5. And of course, She Can.

What was your response when you were named an Ambassador for VicHealth’s This Girl Can campaign. What does this mean to you? What do you hope to achieve? What impact has it had on your sense of self and wellbeing?

I was surprised and very proud of myself. I had entered on a whim at the last minute and at every step I was totally surprised that I kept on moving to the next step in the process. I'm not special, was what I thought.

I absolutely love being an inspiration for other women to get active. I don't have the perfect body but that does not stop me. I have osteoarthritis in my knee but by doing exercise it actually feels a whole lot better.

I still get surprised when people tell me I am an inspiration to them. I am just doing something that I love to my best ability which is far from perfect. However, this boosts my confidence to keep on being me.

Want to get active? Visit thisgirlcan.com.au to find free or low-cost activities for women in Victoria from Nov 10-17.

Learn more about Sue and her fellow ambassadors: https://thisgirlcan.com.au/girl/sue/

 Article by Sinead Halliday