In celebration of 2024 NAIDOC Week, Football Victoria chatted with Bianca, a determined U13s NPL player from Calder United SC who dreams of playing senior football for the Club she calls home.
NAIDOC Week, (July 7-14th), honours the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. It's an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and participate in celebrations of the oldest continuous living cultures on earth.
In a town full of rugby fanatics, Bianca who was "destined" to play sport, decided to follow a different path.
"I was always going to play sport and I chose football because rugby was big in my area and I wanted to choose something different," she said.
"I love playing football because it brings loads of happiness, and you can make loads of friends."
Bianca (Biripi/Gunditjmara), wanted to join a local Club at age seven but was ultimately turned away due to their lack of female numbers, however, this disappointment soon turned into an opportunity, when another Club allowed her to play with their boys' team.
"I went to a Western United FC two-day camp and that was where I got scouted to try out for Calder United SC and then the following year, I played U13's Community and now this year Junior NPL," she explained.
Founded in 2015, Calder United was established for females to participate in the Women's National Premier League and has grown to include both community teams and elite women's teams.
"I really like it at Calder, I have made a few friends and I think it is really good to know that there are actually people out there that have a focus on women's football instead of just boys," Bianca explained.
"The Club is really including, and no one discriminates against me, they all treat me the same way."
Being the only First Nations player at Calder United, Bianca explained she feels a strong sense of representation on the pitch, especially during NAIDOC Week.
The theme for 2024 NAIDOC Week is: Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud and Bianca explained to her it means celebrating resilience and having pride in her culture and making her Ancestors and Community proud.
"It means having a voice and being an advocate for justice and equality when I can," she added.
The young footballer plays as an attacking defender, molding her game on Calder United alumni Alana Cerne and hopes to one day reach the same heights as her idol.
"I want to make the seniors at Calder United, and from there, play for Western United. Fingers crossed," Bianca concluded.