Many happy returns … Bree White is delighted to be back playing for the Spurs. 64086 Picture: SARAH MATRAY
By Michael Esposito
BREE White doesn’t need to walk out in front of 20,000 spectators to get a thrill out of playing sport.
Returning to women’s football team the Victorian University St Albans Spurs after a five-year absence, White is as determined as ever to taste success.
The hard-at-it midfielder had been based in England since 2005, and beyond all expectations found herself captaining London to glory in the All-Ireland Gaelic football championship.
“When I moved to London I was travelling by myself, so I really just looked into a few sports that were around so I could meet a few people,” White said.
White joined the Tara Ladies Gaelic Football Club and in her second season was selected for London County. What followed was a classic underdog tale.
“London Football wasn’t really taken serious in Ireland, we were always seen as the easybeats. So captaining London to the All-Ireland final in 2007, the first time London had made the final in 15 years, was a big thrill.
“Unfortunately we lost the match to Kilkenny by three points. Although the loss was hard to take, it was a massive step for us and we went on to win the All-Ireland Championship in 2008. Both games were played on Croke Park in Dublin in front of about 20,000 spectators.”
The Victorian Women’s Football League doesn’t quite attract the same level of fanfare, but White is no less thrilled to be back in the Red and Blue jumper.
“To be honest I was a bit nervous at the first few training sessions but it doesn’t take to long to settle back in,” she said. “I’ve played a lot of football here, I love the club and am just really thrilled to be back home with the Spurs playing Aussie Rules.”
The Spurs remain undefeated after six rounds, and have taken the prized scalp of Darebin, who until last fortnight had been unbeaten in four years.
“We wanted to go out, stick to our game plan and really take it up to them. The scoreline (a 48-point win) didn’t really reflect the intensity of the match,” White said.
The Spurs then went on to dismantle last year’s other grand finallists Diamond Creek by 59 points and cement flag favouritism.
White said team-mates Shannon McFerran, recognised as the country’s best female footballer, and Debbie Lee were two of the most inspirational figures in the game. At AFL level, White tries to model herself from hard-running possession winners such as Chris Judd, Shane Crawford, Robert Harvey and Joel Selwood.
She was optimistic about the future of the sport, which has grown significantly over the past five years.
“I think with the introduction of Youth Girls and other pathways such as underage state teams it’s giving girls the opportunity to experience football where a few years ago they would have been lost to other sports.”
The Spurs continued their stellar run on Saturday with a 139-point win over Melbourne University. Kaz Paxman was best on ground while White also featured in the best players.
