Most soccer players make their debut as children, wearing oversized shin pads, but not one of Cobram Roar’s debutant, with Jeanette Grant, 58, pulling on the boots for the reserve women’s side.
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Grant has been a loyal clubperson for the past thee years, running the canteen on game days while watching her son, James, make his way through the club’s junior ranks.
Grant used to play netball and has kept in shape by taking part in parkrun, as well as going to the gym.
She has always wanted to play soccer and, with her family’s encouragement, she signed up.
‘‘I have always wanted to play, so I asked James what he thought,’’ she said.
‘‘He said ‘yes, why not, you’re fit enough’.
‘‘He was so supportive, as was my husband and the club.’’
There is a 43-year age gap between the youngest and the oldest member of the reserve women’s side, but Grant said age had never been a concern and the team had welcomed her with open arms.
‘‘The girls have been wonderful,’’ she said.
‘‘They are all lovely girls and they have been beautiful to play with.’’
While Grant prefers to play on the field, her willingness to give anything a go saw her play in goals against Wodonga Heart recently. The personal highlight of her season was scoring against Wodonga Heart.
Grant has enjoyed playing and laughed off suggestions of retiring at the end of the season, suggesting she needed to make up for lost time.