Football Faces Tasmania - Cathy James

Cathy James

Cathy James has moved on from Kingborough Lions now, but she remains one of the truly inspirational volunteers we interviewed.

Hard-working, dedicated, and quietly effective, Cathy is the kind of person every club relies on and rarely celebrates. She did not see her contribution as anything special. She simply showed up, again and again, and did what needed to be done.

This interview captures Cathy’s story in her own words, and reflects the care, commitment, and generosity that underpin community football in Tasmania.

Tell us YOUR story about how you became involved in football and what you love about the game and the community:

My “Football Story” is not one of wanting to be a Matilda – there were no Matildas in the 1970s. It is not one of having a “football hero” and following their career. My involvement in Football is an accident.

Growing up in Oakville, a tiny town (it had a school and a fire station) on the outskirts of Sydney. The readily available team sport option for girls was Netball. And yet, funnily enough, Matilda, Courtney Nevin, went to the same Primary School and played for the Oakville Ravens – which just shows how rapidly things can change in the world of Football.

My first Football memory is: “thank goodness, a sport other than netball”. Arriving at High School I discovered there were other amazing sports – hockey, cricket, volleyball and soccer. Soccer as it was still know then, didn’t rate highly against the other football codes, Rugby Union and Rugby League, and it was only played by English and European immigrants. However, soccer could be played by girls. There was one InterSchool Tournament per year and while I wasn’t a shining star, I was committed.

My real involvement in football began when I wanted my kids to play team sport – I chose Football. It was a sport I had enjoyed and it is also a sport that anyone at any age can play – it’s running; there is limited throwing or catching. With 3 kids playing for Kenthurst Soccer Club I put the boots back on and that was 20 years ago. And, in the meantime, 2006 FIFA World Cup and all of Australia fell in love with Football and the Socceroos.

The thing about sport is it’s a bridge-builder. When you relocate, whether it’s across town or to a new state, you can join a sporting club and you’ve got something in common with people in the community. 15 years ago, the family moved to Tasmania, into the Kingborough region, joined Kingborough Lions United FC and never left – well that’s 4 of us. Even after all these years, I cannot convince my husband of the merits of the round ball game.

While the game of Football has many highs and lows being involved in a Club can support people through their highs and lows. While in my playing days, I have often been described as “uncoachable”, I have always given 100% effort, pretty much like now as a volunteer. And, dare I say it, my best game of Football was played a few days after my Dad died fully supported by my Football family.

Another thing about being involved in a Not-For-Profit Community Sporting Club is, that without volunteers and money they don’t thrive. I have a lot of a “can do” attitude and my daily mantra is “how can I make a difference today”. I have been a player, a team manager, the Club Secretary/Adminstrator/Registrar, Kiosk Manager. I have enjoyed all the benefits of being a player – coaching, equipment, playing strip, facilities, so for me it’s a natural progression to “give back”. Registration fees do not cover all the costs required if Clubs were to pay people to do all the activities it takes to get teams on the park and down here in Clubland there are plenty of inspirational people to keep you going.

At Kingborough I’ve been lucky to play with and work with some incredible people. There are families here that have had multiple generations come through and I’m sure there are other Clubs that have benefitted from the same thing. The list of people in Tasmanian Football that inspire me is endless. Bernie Siggins was an amazing “can do and will do” man and was a true inspiration to all players and volunteers at Kingborough Lions United FC. Brian & Jill Dale truly love and care for their Club and have put years of time and energy into it. I know each Club has role models like these and they don’t do it for the acknowledgement they “just do it”.

Football in Tasmania is rapidly changing. Community Clubs are having to comply with regulations – food business, RSA, workplace health & safety, and recently COVID-19.

Clubs are small businesses with massive interests in their communities. We currently have 2 Clubs vying for selection to be WWC 2023 Base Camps; we’re building towards having A-League and W-League teams. Football has massive participation across males & females. It is a great time to be involved in Football in Tasmania. And, it is a great time to be a Volunteer in Football in Tasmania.