SHANNON McFerran sits with some pretty impressive company.
Earlier this month the Kealba resident was named in Australia’s Top 100 Sportswomen of All Time.
She joins the likes of Dawn Fraser, Betty Cuthbert, Lauren Jackson and Margaret Court on the list, which serves as a who’s who of the nation’s outstanding female sporting talent.
McFerran is a legend in Australia’s women’s football ranks and her latest achievement only adds to a glittering resume that includes premierships, state representation and best-and-fairest awards.
“I was very surprised and very flattered,” McFerran said of her selection.
“I guess women’s football doesn’t have the same profile some of those other athletes and sports have so it was amazing to be listed.”
After beginning her football career playing in the under nines, McFerran turned her attention to umpiring as a teenager in the Western Region Football League.
Her desire to play never left though and she joined the Sunshine Football Club’s women’s team as a 17-year-old.
At the time, the competition has just six teams, a number that has grown rapidly in recent years.
“I have definitely seen a lot of changes in my time in women’s football,” McFerran said. “The professionalism of the league and the standard of the game has improved tremendously.
“Each game is a great spectacle to watch as well. It has really come a long way.”
McFerran has also had to encounter challenges off the field after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Following the 2009 season, she had surgery before being forced to sit out all of 2010.
To stay involved in the game she did some coaching but never lost her drive to play and returned in 2011 to lead the St Albans Spurs to a premiership win.
“Everyone goes through challenges and I was able to get through it,” she said.
“In 2010 I was sitting on the sidelines and getting ready for 2011. We were lucky enough to win the premiership. You kind of forget about the hard times then.”
After missing the 2012 season because of the birth of her twin boys, McFerran will return to the Victorian Women’s Football League this year to play with the St Kilda Sharks.
With a young family, she said she is looking forward to having a long term involvement in all football.
“I am hoping that they (her twin boys) will love footy as much as their mum does,” McFerran said.
“Whether it is playing, coaching or just running water on the side lines, footy is a great sport to be a part of. I get a lot out of it and it’s good to try and give a bit back as well.”
