Recently we sat down with Under 18s Girls Captain Jamie-Lee Munn and asked her about footy and how she works footy into her busy schedule. Her team kick off their finals campaign on Sunday 19th at Le Page Park Oval 1 against Prahran FC @1:30pm.
Q: Hi Jamie, firstly tell us about yourself your family and where you go to school?
A: My name is Jamie-lee Munn, I go to Mentone Grammar School and I am currently in year 12 doing VCE.
Q: How is our U18 Girls team going this season?
A: We always surprise ourselves with how well we can do. This year has shown a very even spread of competition where really anyone can win on the day. We have had a lot of tough games and come out on top for many, just lost some and then on our bad days, really taken a beating. Having some new talent in the team has really helped us progress as a side and having had majority of the girls play with each other for years is definitely demonstrated in the way we play given how well we know each other and how each other play. It's great that we've been able secure a place in the finals!
Q: The girls in your team have a very close bond. How has that developed?
A: The bond in our team is probably our greatest advantage as a team. Footy itself is a sport that fosters friendships with your team mates and coaches and year by year it only progresses. From winning and jumping around with your team, to losing by points in the last minutes, the freezing cold mornings, and night trainings, dinner nights and social events, you go through it all with the team and that’s what makes the bond. It’s not just the players in the team, the coach of any sport is majorly influential to the dynamics of the team and Steve has really brought us together. His positivity and drive for us to always be better as a team and reach our full potential really motivates the girls. He has pushed social events and dinner nights to make sure all the girls know each other off the field, to ensure that when it comes to the game, we know each other and how each other play there to get absolute best out of us.
Q: When and where did your desire to play football start? And how did you end up at the Sharks?
A: My Dad taught me how to kick the footy when I was little. I have always loved footy, I played basketball for a lot of years and after playing footy at school, it was too fun to say no to playing. A lot of the girls from my school were members of Sharks footy and after watching them play and seeing the close bond all the girls made through the sport, I joined straight away. Sharks has great coaches who really want to get the best out of the girls and love the sport themselves which is what drew me to the club so much as well as the close knit community the club promotes.
Q: Who has been your biggest footy influence and who’s your footy hero??
A: My sister has always been my sporting influence, even when I was young, whatever she’d play, I wanted to play. She was drafted for the St Kilda VFL team after a career in basketball and since then, has loved every second of it. Her love for the game and her success has definitely been a major influence for my footy. I barrack for Sydney and Lewis Jetta had always been my footy hero. I always wanted to be quick like him and be able to sprint up the field with the footy and fly pass all the opposition, unfortunately that day hasn’t come but there’s some girls on the team who are pretty close to it!
Q: What position do you mostly play on the field?
A: I usually play ruck or centre half forward J
Q: How do balance footy with study and being a young woman in today’s demanding world.
A: Year 12 is demanding no doubt and although it’s often recommended to keep your slate clean for year 12, I’d recommend the complete opposite. Footy, the trainings and the games, it keeps me busy. When you’re busy in such a demanding year, you tend to stay on top of more and get more done because you’re forced to become organised and to be more productive. As any sport, footy keeps me fit and healthy which is essential for such a big, influential year and gives you a break from study to have fun with your mates and play the sport you love. Our coach Steve has a daughter in year 12 in the team as well and knows how sometimes school work, SACS and exams can pile up all at once and encourages us to stay organised whilst also being understanding of our situations.
Q: What are your career ambitions?
A: I’m not quite sure yet, I’d love to do something in sport just because I know how happy I am when I am involved in it and all the bonds that come with it.
Would you like to play footy at a higher level, such as AFL VFL, VAFA?
A: I’d imagine any player would! I’d love to, probably need a bit more work before that stage!
Q: Do you play other sports?
A: I used to play basketball since I was 9 up until last year. I’ve played netball and volleyball, but I have to say, footy has been my favourite.
Q: If you had to send a message to you team mates right now, what would it be?
A: Thank you for all the memories girls, and for being the best team I could ask for. We have done so well this season and the hard work and effort everyone has put into this team, even in such a big year for everyone is amazing. Let’s smash it this Sunday girls!!
Q: Thank you Jamie and good luck for the finals.
Jamie is pictiured here with her two Vice Captains, Lucy Bowman and Rachel Watson