Alex the Astronaut Instagram – Soccer is what I grew up calling it and I can’t stop now. I started at 4 and stopped at 24 after too many concussions rattled my little brain. I played for the first ever girls team at Lindfield; the U6 roses, I played for the now premiere league team @brentfordfc in London where we made the paper for scoring 20 goals in a game, and then the peak of my career, playing mostly the bench for my US College, Long Island University where I got mistaken for a Swede for three years. Without all of it I wouldn’t have my degree or likely my music career. I was never good enough or going to play professionally but most of what I am, I know, and my friends are from this sport.
I knew the injustice intimately, it infuriated me constantly and I didn’t think it would ever change. At twelve I got all my teachers to sign form so I could play on the boys team. It didn’t work. At last year’s Mardi Gras the Matilda’s chose my song Growing Up to played while they walked across the SCG where a lot of this World Cup has been played. That song is theirs because growing up to me now means realizing the world can be good, kind, and just. This World Cup has changed my life. Thank you to the Matildas and congratulations. I could not be happier for you all it brings me to tears to think about.
I’ve never had the chance so why not now; I saw my old coach JJ, NSW super coach loved by all, at one of the games. Thank you JJ and John Curran, Jason, and all the other coaches who believed in all of us. Thank you to my parents and friends parents for driving us and listening to us in the car for 15 years. Most of all to my teammates who taught me what it means not to feel alone.
This is about more than sport for me it’s about seeing queer people being brilliant, joy, self determination, and justice. Go the Tillies. | Posted on 16/Aug/2023 11:31:04
