Hard worker … St Albans Spurs founder Debbie Lee was named the Football Woman of the Year for her tireless work in women’s football. 37008 Picture: SUPPLIED
VICTORIAN Women’s Football League president (VWFL) and former Victoria University-St Albans player Debbie Lee was named the 2009 ‘Football Woman of the Year’ recently.
The award recognises women who have made a significant contribution to the game of football.
“We don’t do these things to win awards – we do it because we love the game,” Lee said when accepting her award.
“I am truly passionate about football.”
Lee has made a strong contribution to women’s football as a player and administrator. A former National Basketball League player, Lee transferred her energies to football and played more than 200 games for the St Albans Spurs.
She started her football career at the East Brunswick Scorpions in 1991, aged 17. But her early determination saw the creation of the Sunshine YCW Spurs in 1993.
She captained the Spurs from 1993 to 2004, during which time they brought home the Division One premiership cup.
She has a wealth of accolades from her time in the VWFL including five Helen Lambert medals given to the best and fairest – Division One/Premier Div.
She has also represented Victoria 15 times, including five as state captain, and is a five-time All Australian but her passion extends to the other side of the boundary line where she has served on the VWFL Executive in a voluntary/honorary capacity since 1993 before being made president in 2004.
She has overseen substantial growth and development in women’s football from six teams back when she started playing in 1991, to a competition currently hosting 28 senior teams.
