Jillian Cunningham - Football Faces Tasmania

Photo credit: Nikki Long

A life in Tasmanian football

This interview was originally conducted in July 2022 as part of the Football Faces Tasmania series. It remains a powerful record of the kind of long, quiet contribution that has shaped Tasmanian football across generations.

Where it began

Jillian Cunningham’s football story begins in 1979, when her eldest son, Justin Dyer, started playing at Glen Dhu School in Grade 3.

His younger brothers, Stephen and Jonathon, followed soon after. Their sister, Melissa, joined in Grade 6. Like many families, football arrived through children. Unlike many, it stayed for life.

Jillian quickly became involved in the setup of the football committee at Glen Dhu, alongside Frank Buck, Jack Johnston and Geoff Smith. This was the beginning of a pattern that would repeat for decades, stepping in, helping out, and quietly holding things together.

Early club football and northern associations

When Justin was 12, he was recruited by Oscar Dominquez to play with the White Eagles. A year later, St Leonards Rovers Soccer Club began recruiting from Kings Meadows High School, and Jillian’s involvement deepened again.

Football in Tasmania during the 1980s was not streamlined. There were two associations, one in the south and one in the north, run by Enid and Paddy Baker. Jillian recalls personally delivering information to their home office in Mulgrave Street, a reminder of how hands-on and personal administration once was.

In 1985, Stephen was part of the NTJSA Under 12 team coached by Jock Glass that travelled to Coffs Harbour for a tournament. By 1988, Justin had made the state team under David Smith and Peter Davidson, while Jonathon was also representing NTJSA Under 12s under Tom Strickland. Easter tournaments in Sydney meant long trips and family commitment that was simply accepted as part of football life.

Western Suburbs and Juventus

Around this time, Jillian’s daughters Fiona and Melissa were playing hockey, although Fiona played some football with St Leonards. Jillian herself held several roles at St Leonards Rovers during these years.

By 1989, the boys moved to Western Suburbs Soccer Club, and Jillian once again became heavily involved at committee level. In 1992, Stephen was recruited by Peter Davidson to play reserve state league football with Juventus. Justin also played for Juventus in the summer roster.

Melissa switched from hockey to football at Western Suburbs at age 18, playing there until around 1998.

By the mid-1990s, all three boys were playing for Launceston City Juventus, and Jillian’s long association with the club truly began. She joined the committee around 1997 and took on the role of assistant referee, continuing in that capacity for several years.

During this time, she also drove the 12-seater bus transporting the Juventus Reserves team south for matches, another unseen but essential contribution.

Canteens, committees, and continuity

When the club canteen became vacant after Chris Mies stepped away, Jillian took it on, running it until she broke an ankle in 2004.

By then, Melissa had started playing for Juventus, and Jillian’s grandchildren were beginning their own football journeys.

Fiona’s sons, Joseph Thowe and Solomon, both played juniors. Solomon later played three seasons for Riverside and a season with the Rangers before stopping due to work commitments. Fiona herself played a season with the Juventus women’s team while her children were young.

Justin’s children, Charlie and Bella, played juniors, with Charlie progressing through NTJSA representative football and the State Under 15 team. Stephen’s son William also played NTJSA representative football until age 15. Jillian’s youngest grandson, Barney Wilcox, currently plays Under 16s, while his older brother Mac has completed juniors and now plays Under 18s.

Health, family, and returning again

While her grandchildren were playing, Jillian served on the junior committee and helped run the NTJSA canteen in 2015.

In 2018, she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia and spent six months in and out of hospital. The following year was quieter, focused on recovery.

Football, however, remained part of her life.

Today, her daughter Melissa Wilcox is the Registrar at Launceston City Juventus. Together, they manage the canteen, opening on Tuesday and Thursday nights to provide food and drinks, and welcoming new junior families into the club. They organise Thursday night players’ teas and NPL match meals for home games, supported by parents.

Justin continues to coach, having worked across junior football, NTJSA representative teams, and now as Championship Coach.

A football family

Jillian reflects that all of her involvement in football was as a single parent, following the breakdown of her marriage in 1981. Football became her social world. Coaches and parents became role models for her children. Lifelong friendships grew from sidelines, canteens, and shared responsibility.

For nearly 30 years, she has been involved with Launceston City Juventus in one role or another.

She has no intention of stopping.

Whether it is washing team strips, working in the canteen, or helping wherever she is needed, Jillian says she will continue until her health or physical ability no longer allows it.

Many in the football community remember her as Jillian Dyer.

Her contribution endures as Jillian Cunningham, written quietly across generations of Tasmanian football.

Some people leave their mark on football through moments.
Others leave it through decades.
Jillian Cunningham belongs firmly in the second group.