Sale United SC’s Madelaine Breakspear has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to football, receiving Life Membership of the Latrobe Valley Soccer League at the FV LV Season Launch on March 30.
Breakspear was formally inducted as the final LVSL Life Membership recipient, capping off a remarkable 30+ year involvement in the game as a player, coach, and leader across Gippsland and beyond.
“I’m very honoured, soccer is my life,” Breakspear said.
“The years go by and you just keep doing what you’re doing and all of a sudden, (you realise) you’ve done a lot.”
Outgoing LVSL Chair Allan Roberts paid tribute to Breakspear’s extraordinary impact on the region.
“The nomination came with 20 pages of supporting information, a testament to her outstanding dedication and impact,” Roberts said.
He described Breakspear as a trailblazer for female football in the Latrobe Valley and beyond.
“Madelaine Breakspear lives and breathes football. She has championed female football in the Valley with selfless dedication and professionalism over an extended period of time.”
Breakspear’s journey began at just four years of age with Sale City SC, often playing as the only girl in her team before quickly emerging as a standout junior talent.
She progressed through Victorian representative pathways, earning selection in state school teams, Victorian representative squads, and national championships from a young age. Her development included involvement in the Victorian Institute of Sport and National Training Centre programs, where she trained alongside some of the country’s top emerging players.
At club level, Breakspear built a decorated career with Box Hill United, playing more than 175 games and winning multiple titles including a league championship, grand final success, and cup honours. She was named in the inaugural NPL Women’s Team of the Year in 2016.
Her career also included international representative tours to England, Scotland, Singapore and Brunei, where she captained teams and competed against elite opposition.
Returning to the Latrobe Valley in 2019, Breakspear transitioned into coaching with Sale United FC, helping drive the growth of women’s football in the region while continuing her playing career.
Her coaching achievements include multiple LVSL Women’s Championships and Browne-Huizer Cup victories, alongside recognition as Football Victoria Female Coach of the Year, VicSport Community Coach of the Year, and LVSL Women’s Coach of the Year.
Breakspear has also led representative squads to success at the Country Championships, further shaping the next generation of players in the region.
Outgoing LVSL Chair Allan Roberts summed up her contribution as transformative.
“Everything she has achieved has come through natural skill, hard work, commitment, dedication and determination,” he said.