A female club captain in a boys’ side is believed to be a first this year among the Goulburn Murray Junior League’s annals and Seymour Football Netball Club couldn’t be prouder.
At the front of the Lions’ under-12 side in the junior league is Amelia Hauser, who has become one of the more prominent names in the crop.
Hauser came within a whisker of making Victoria’s 12-and-under girls’ Australian football team after whittling through multiple rounds of try-outs and roster cuts that started with a group of 300 girls.
Needless to say, she has continued to develop strongly under the watch of team coach Damian Inniss.
Known as ‘‘Redda’’ throughout the club, Inniss has observed Hauser’s development as a footballer and leader closely and is highly encouraged by what he’s seen up to now.
“She’s the only girl captain that I know of who’s been in this league in the Seymour district,” Inniss said.
“She’s got great leadership skills, her football is second to none and she always tries her best.
“I always ask captains and leaders from the previous year who should captain in the next year and it was a unanimous decision. Everyone backed her.
“She was my frontrunner too with the way she goes about her football.
“To me, though, I don’t see it as a boy girl kind of thing. I see it as a kid trying to better themselves and play the best football they can.”
Typically deployed in the middle or at centre half-back, Hauser is familiar with the positions that leaders are often taking up.
Having played at under-14 level last year, she’s certainly used to the competitive challenges of junior football.
Inniss is more than confident these experiences have only spurred further growth from his emerging skipper, who is growing into her role.
“I know all the kids in our side follow her as she leads by example,” Inniss said.
“She’s not always vocal and I’ve talked to her about that sometimes, but she does all the team stuff before she goes and gets the ball herself.
“Sometimes that can work against you, but it can also be your biggest strength as a leader.
“She’s a great captain and whatever they need, she does it.”
Hauser was impressive in her state-level showings, earning praise from Inniss and mum Lucinda for her efforts.
The most outstanding part, they said, was that she turned up time after time without knowing anybody there, while other girls were training in teams.
Needless to say, the commitment is there and if Hauser sticks to the path, Inniss says she could turn out to be anything.
“She has all of the attributes to go further,” Inniss said.
“She’s determined and her mindset’s very focused and she listens to all instructions.
“As a coach, I like to explain the reasons why things happen and she takes all that on board.
“I play her in all these positions where I need her to fill a hole and her biggest asset is that all the boys respect her and look up to her role.
“For her, in the long run, if she keeps going the way she is and listens to all coaches, she could go a long way.”