Change of pace
Australia’s greatest footballer has finally blown the whistle on the game that has been her life
“For so many years football has come first, I-ve missed birthdays, weddings, dinners, lots of things that I just always had to say no to because I had training, or a camp or we would be away with the national team - it-ll be nice to lead a normal life”.
In a career that includes four FIFA World Cups, two Olympic Games and 38 career goals during her record 151 ‘A- international appearances, the highlights reel is extensive.
Salisbury-s personal favourite: the goal she scored against Canada in the FIFA Women-s World Cup to put Australia through to the quarter finals. “It was the biggest thing ever for Women-s Football in Australia, we had been also-rans so many times and finally we did it.”
But things weren-t always so rosy for the (now former) Matildas skipper. In 2000, after the Olympics she had to move to the USA just to play a game of football, something she remembers as the loneliest point of her career.
“We-d just been in camp together at the AIS for 18 months; for the Olympics. When it was over we were shipped back to our own states and I moved to South Australia. The women played in an under-15 boys competition there, and when the boys saw how big I was, they refused to play against me. I took it to equal opportunities but in the end I was left with nowhere to play. Going from the glittering opening ceremony of the Olympic Games to nothing I felt completely abandoned and it was such a low point emotionally I went to the States just so I could play.”
There have been many stamps in Salisbury-s passport over the years including Russia, China and North Korea; some destinations she remembers more fondly than others. “It-s always difficult to go somewhere where you need a long-haul flight and you struggle to eat your normal diet, but it-s all part of the experience.”
And those experiences are what Australia-s most capped player will miss most.
“The camaraderie of being part of a team - team breakfasts, being in camp, chatting on long trips on planes and buses - remember we didn-t always have DVD players and iPods and things, we had to entertain ourselves.”
Ice baths (which she won-t miss), physio treatments and recovery sessions are all a thing of the past for Salisbury now, as is struggling to combine a football career with making an income. Far from the financial rewards male players with less than half her experience or track record enjoy, Salisbury has always needed an income outside the game. And while philosophical about the discrepancies between the genders, she says there is still more to be done.
“I held my breath for years, waiting for the W-League to be established - top sporting teams in any country have a national league, but that is only the first step. It is totally unreasonable to think that the A-League would have got up and running without the salaries, yet the women are expected to play for free,” Salisbury says. “I was a player and assistant coach for the Newcastle Jets team, both positions unpaid. I try to imagine what Joel Griffiths would say if he was asked to stay with the Jets and help to coach the side for nothing….you see what I mean?”
So, with her the chapter on her playing career now complete, what-s her advice to young girls wanting to follow in her footsteps?
“Have fun, enjoy the game, be strong and work hard because it won-t be easy - but above all, have fun.” Adding with her trademark smile: “If you-re having fun it doesn-t seem as hard!”