Tough, unassuming and leading by example, Shepparton United captain Melissa Foster is ready to help her side claim its first premiership.
A talented athlete, Foster has spent her life dominating the sports world.
Whether it be her first love, basketball, or during her time at Shepparton East playing netball, Foster has always stood out for her skill, fearless nature and leadership.
After having to go through a shoulder reconstruction — and having two children with her husband Beau — Foster thought that organised sport may have been behind her.
That was until her cousin approached her about coming down for a kick with the new Shepparton United women’s team in 2022.
Although hesitant at first, Foster’s competitive nature kicked in and she soon found herself flying into packs, fighting through congestion and dominating the midfield for the Demons.
Foster’s natural charisma, leadership and genuine care for her teammates led to her being made captain of the side for the past two seasons.
Foster has just about done it all: winner of a best-and-fairest award in football and netball, co-captain of the women’s interleague side this year and countless other achievements.
On Sunday, Foster and her Demons will run out onto Deakin Reserve to play Echuca in the Goulburn Murray Women’s League grand final.
The match will be tough, with the Murray Bombers being the reigning premiers, but Foster said she couldn’t pick a better group of teammates to have a shot at a flag with.
“We have a great bunch of girls,” Foster said.
“I feel like I bring that morale about the team, that energy.
“We will just try to play like we usually do.
“We will go in with that self-belief and composure and play it like any other game.”
Having played team sports for most of her life, Foster has, through experience, learned the nuances of leadership.
Out on the field, she said she tried to not only give verbal direction, but also provide leadership through her physicality, knowing the old adage that actions can sometimes speak louder than words.
“I’m definitely encouraging and a voice (on the field),” she said.
“Like to try and keep everyone composed, I like to give direction.
“Keep that energy level high through the midfield.
“I feel like I am definitely tough, try to lead by example, not afraid to get the hard ball.”
Shepparton United Football Netball Club president Rebecca Monk is also a part of the Demons’ women’s football side.
Monk was glowing in her praise of the side’s fearless leader, Foster.
“(Foster) or as we affectionately call her ‘Captain Courageous’, she is so enthusiastic and gets around all of the juniors, even around us veterans,” Monk said.
“She just wants everyone to be the best that they can be.
“She is infectious and you can’t help but be happy, smile, and want to play for everyone when you have her around you.”
On Sunday afternoon, United hopes to break Echuca’s near-monopoly on premierships in the Goulburn Valley-Murray region.
The Murray Bombers currently hold the senior men’s and boys’ under-18 football, women’s football, A-grade netball and under-15 netball premierships.
In 2024, Echuca looks likely to defend all five of those flags; however, Monk and Foster’s Demons are happy being the underdogs for Sunday’s match.
Although the Murray Bombers are mighty, Monk knows Foster will work tirelessly all day to get the job done and inspire the group.
“She gets out there and goes hard at the ball,” she said.
“She goes at every contest and is a formidable opponent, but she is also your biggest ally on your team.
“We couldn’t or wouldn’t want to play for a better captain.
“She wouldn’t consider that she has a disability; she certainly doesn’t play with any signs of that.”
Foster has spent her time in sports — and her whole life — missing the lower left part of her arm; however, United’s captain wouldn’t consider herself disabled.
“I have grown up having one hand my whole life, so for me, it was something that I have adjusted to,” Foster said.
“My parents threw me into sports when I was a kid and I have just adjusted.
“I was lucky enough that my parents were confident and pretty chilled out and they treated me the same as anyone else.
“They got me out there and I just had a go.
“I have never been on a different scale to anyone else.”
With the women’s league growing this season to eight teams from five in 2023 — the youth girls’ competition also added two teams in 2024 — female football is booming in the region.
Foster said the continued support from existing clubs and governing bodies to assist women’s and girls’ football excited her about the future.
“It is definitely evolving even with the numbers at training and the youth girls watching them, even on the weekend, just how much they have grown,” she said.
“I think there is definitely more support now from AFL Goulburn Murray.
“I feel like they are really pushing for women’s and youth girls’ sport.
“This year has definitely been a leap with that.”
In two-and-a-half seasons at United, Foster has fast become a crucial part of the football side.
On Sunday, the Demons’ “Captain Courageous” has an opportunity to etch her name into the history books as the side’s first premiership captain.
Looking further into the future, Foster said she would love to be involved with the Demons for as long as possible.
“I’m not getting any younger,” she said with a laugh.
“I had 10 years off sport.
“I think (I will play) for as long as my body holds out and my family supports me.
“It’s a great bunch of girls (at United) and a great way to make friends, so for anyone interested who wants to try it I definitely suggest they do.”