Karen
I'm not at all ashamed to admit that I'm a recent convert to football via the Matilda's. Fair to say men's football left me vaguely disinterested even though I did try to watch a World Cup once. But the Matilda's - well they were a revelation. Skilled at football (still don't understand any of the rules), but their on and off field behaviour, team spirit, demeanour was what really appealed. They have made me laugh, cheer loudly and gasp, and all at a game of football. I even know many of their names - Mackenzie Arnold, Courtnee Vine and Claire Polkinghorne are as recognisable now as Mary Fowler, Sam Kerr and Alana Kennedy, and so many more of these outstanding women.
Which made reading Macca a doddle when it came to working out who she was talking about - surprised myself how many of those names I just knew, shamefully how little of their background pathways through to the Matilda's I knew at the same time.
This was a lovely read, finding out about Macca's background and her path into football, how her determination overcame many obstacles and the shameful lack of support for female athletes like her, and other's with such outstanding capability there was. And the way that a few very good coaches and mentors steered her through the cruelty of inconsistent behaviour and that lack of support.
Well worth reading - let's hope more of the team get the chance and are interested in explaining their pathways as well. In the meantime I've just put a hold on THE MATILDA EFFECT by Fiona Crawford. Books about sport for goodness sake ... what's next!
Originally posted at www.austcrimefiction.org.
I'm not at all ashamed to admit that I'm a recent convert to football via the Matilda's. Fair to say men's football left me vaguely disinterested even though I did try to watch a World Cup once. But the Matilda's - well they were a revelation. Skilled at football (still don't understand any of the rules), but their on and off field behaviour, team spirit, demeanour was what really appealed. They have made me laugh, cheer loudly and gasp, and all at a game of football. I even know many of their names - Mackenzie Arnold, Courtnee Vine and Claire Polkinghorne are as recognisable now as Mary Fowler, Sam Kerr and Alana Kennedy, and so many more of these outstanding women.
Which made reading Macca a doddle when it came to working out who she was talking about - surprised myself how many of those names I just knew, shamefully how little of their background pathways through to the Matilda's I knew at the same time.
This was a lovely read, finding out about Macca's background and her path into football, how her determination overcame many obstacles and the shameful lack of support for female athletes like her, and other's with such outstanding capability there was. And the way that a few very good coaches and mentors steered her through the cruelty of inconsistent behaviour and that lack of support.
Well worth reading - let's hope more of the team get the chance and are interested in explaining their pathways as well. In the meantime I've just put a hold on THE MATILDA EFFECT by Fiona Crawford. Books about sport for goodness sake ... what's next!
Originally posted at www.austcrimefiction.org.