By Catherine Sanchez, Publications Officer

With their Year 12 graduation just a couple of months away, three William Clarke College students are gearing up for another momentous occasion – the NSWCIS Cup Girls Football Grand Final. At 4:00pm on Wednesday 24 July (yes, that is tomorrow afternoon!), Jaime, Sydney and Alannah, along with their dedicated teammates, will take to the field at Valentine Sports Ground in Glenwood to battle it out against Pymble Ladies College for the winning crown, a match 20 years in the making.

Looking back on their sporting journey, this dedicated Year 12 trio has spent years honing their skills, fostering friendships and creating unforgettable memories on the field. For Alannah, her journey into Football began at the tender age of six, playing for Kellyville Kolts. Inspired by her father, who not only introduced her to the sport but also coached her through her formative years, Alannah said, “playing with the boys taught me how to be resilient and more aggressive as they were much faster and stronger than me”. “[My dad] truly helped develop my skills, passion and desire to play at a higher level.”

For all three girls, Football has played an enormous role throughout their schooling life. Upon joining the Year 6 team, Jaime, Sydney and Alannah have played together up until their final year at the College. Jaime highlighted the importance of their bonds saying, “I’ve created friendships with girls from Year 7 to Year 12, bonds that I never thought I would have. These friendships created throughout the years have led to lasting friendships outside of school with girls of all ages.”

For Sydney, being part of the Girls Football team has profoundly enriched the school experience and helped lessen the stress from her academic load. “Having an outlet where I can go hang out with my friends and play a sport, which has no correlation to my subjects, feels like ultimate freedom,” she stated. “Creating a foundation for all of us girls to grow and bond with each other, whilst taking all the wins and losses together, has shaped my Secondary experience for the better. I’ve also had the chance to step up and lead/coach some of these girls, which makes me excited for the future of how I can help the College.”

Balancing Year 12 academics with Football commitments has been a challenge for these three best friends, but one they have managed with discipline and structure. As Jaime explained, “it is all about balance. It is about being disciplined in knowing what you need to get done and when to be able to keep doing the hours of Football we need. Just by knowing you aren’t alone in juggling all our commitments, it is helpful to stay centred and focused on the tasks required of us.”

During their years of playing Football, this determined trio have experienced many highs and lows, as well as setbacks and challenges, including “euphoric wins that engrave memories of a lifetime and the tough losses that you want to never repeat” according to Alannah. “Football has taught me how to be resilient and maintain mental toughness through hardships like injuries. Injuries can place such immense strain on your physical and mental state, especially when we have such strong passions and desires to play the sport at a high level and continue to improve every day.” In fact, Alannah believes that sport promotes personal growth and develops important skills including decision-making, mental toughness, teamwork and leadership, skills that will “provide the backbone for success in any individual’s future endeavours”.

It was just five weeks ago when these girls and their teammates took out the semi-final win against Mamre Anglican College. But it was some encouraging words that Mr Storie, Director of Co-curricular, shared with the girls during half time that truly encapsulated the team’s spirit. “Whether you win, lose or draw, you can see which team is playing for themselves and which team is playing for each other,” Sydney recalled Mr Storie saying. “I’d never really pictured the team in this way until this moment, where we all realised how close we all were and how much we wanted this for each other. We have only made it this far in the competition due to having such a connected team that wanted to experience the wins ‘together’ not as individuals.”

What’s inspiring about the girls’ story is their determination to leave a legacy at William Clarke College after they graduate. Their message to future players is to “give it a go” and to “never think you aren’t as good as the person you are next to, but think how you can both work together to make yourselves good”. As senior members of the team, Jaime, Sydney and Alannah hope that their journey will inspire younger players to pursue their passions and try something new.

As they prepare for the big match tomorrow afternoon, the girls are adamant that winning the Grand Final will be the icing on the cake. “We went into each round with our heads held high and put our best foot forward for ourselves, supporters and each other,” stated Sydney. “Winning the CIS Cup this year will be one of my greatest achievements at the College.” For Alannah, representing the College and winning this event will be a moment she will never forget. “To win the final is like winning something you thought was very much out of reach. To have made it to the semi-final for the first time in 20 years is an achievement in itself.”

As for their last words – they are dedicated to their amazing Coach, Mr Bull! “We are really appreciative of his passion and dedication to the team,” they said. “He has put in a lot of effort and dedication to see us succeed. He has done it with the boys; he will surely do it with us.” #BACK2BACKFORMRBULL – Best Coach Ever!

So as Jaime, Sydney and Alannah stand on the brink of what could be the pinnacle of their sports journey at the College, will you be a witness to this incredible story? Make sure you head down to Valentine Sports Ground tomorrow afternoon to find out!