By Michael Roberts | posted on March 12, 2020
LOCAL footy clubs are often seen as one big family, but the Albany Sharks have taken that idea to a whole new level with their women’s team this year.
The Sharks are making it a family affair in more ways than one, with Albany mums Emma Ashton and Lindy Weinert playing Australian Rules in the same team as their daughters.
Ms Ashton steps onto the field each week with her girls Marlee and Cheyenne, while Ms Weinert gets to kick the footy around with daughter Amarlie.
But that’s not all.
The two Sharks mums are also best friends, having met each other in the same hospital when their first children were born.
“It’s a real treat being able to run out with my daughters, my best friend and her daughter as well,” Ms Ashton said.
“It’s pretty special.”
Ms Ashton joined the team to support Marlee’s dream of playing AFLW, and thought it would be a great idea to get her best friend involved too.
Despite never playing organised sport in their lives, both women have fallen in love with the game.
“I wished I started playing years ago,” Ms Weinert said.
“It would have been great to be able to play footy when we were our kids’ age.”
In the Sharks’ third season fielding a women’s team in the Great Southern Football League, Ms Ashton said the club was building a strong culture.
“I haven’t loved being around big groups of women in my life – I’m more of a tomboy – but this bunch of girls are just amazing,” she said.
“It’s a family.”
In a youthful side, Ms Ashton said the team appreciated having a few experienced heads around.
“The girls have commented that they love having the mums in the team because we are the first to know when something is not quite right,” she said.
Albany currently sit third on the GSFLW ladder with three wins and three losses.
They play close rivals North Albany this Friday night at Centennial Oval, where a win will help guarantee them a finals appearance with four rounds to go in the 2020 season.
