Football is more than 90 minutes of technical & athletic ability, peppered with a bit of guile.
For Port Darwin FC junior coordinator, Alison Alber, her role as a club administrator is equally important to the final score.
Her ‘movement off the ball’ includes positioning at countless fundraisers, organising committee meetings and avoiding overloads for her fellow volunteers.
“ I over-heard someone from another club talking about how much work…[there was] to get everything ready for the season”, says Alber, narrating how she got involved with club administration.
“I couldn’t just stand back and then possibly complain and whinge about things later”.
Like many female administrators, Alison was introduced to football when her child started playing.
“My son started playing for Port Darwin Football Club…because all the other boys in his class at a school were going to play”.
Within three football seasons associated with the club, Alber assumed the role of junior coordinator.
“Aside from volunteering in the canteen once or twice over the years…I had not done much for the club…I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into”.
“I didn’t know anything about football except that I called it soccer and football was AFL to me”, said Alber.
Currently it’s her second season as an administrator and Alber is upbeat about the club culture.
“There is a much more positive vibe around the club now. I think our members are feeling a bit more loved and cared about…more parents [are] putting their hands [up] to help, which then creates that sense of community. To think that I may have contributed to that is a rewarding feeling”, said Alber.
Asked if women make better football administrators, Alber deflects the question even if it is female football week.
“One person can not run a club on their own. A club needs a range of skills [sic] to pitch in and do their bit”.
There are football heroes on and off the pitch, let’s celebrate the latter by acknowledging their contribution to the longevity of grassroots football clubs.