Nicole Simonsen: Paving The Path
As part of Back To Manly Day weekend, we spoke to Beacon Hill junior Nicole Simonsen about her experiences with Manly United and her memories of our 2017 NPL NSW Women’s Grand Final victory.
Even when she was young, Simonsen had the ambition to play 1st Grade football for Manly United. She recognises the role older players had in her development as a goalkeeper.
“I was really fortunate to train, when I was younger, with the senior keepers. That was always such an exciting prospect, an idea that I could one day become the 1st Grade keeper.”
As Simonsen got closer to being the 1st Grade goalkeeper, she ended up competing with former Manly United player Claire Coelho for playing time. She reflected on how this battle was a good thing for her in the long run, especially as the two of them built a healthy relationship.
“I think that absolutely helped me a lot, having someone who I needed to work hard to beat. That was actually quite inspiring, we became really good friends and we worked well with each other.”
2017 was one of the most historic years in Manly United’s history, with the club winning the NPL NSW Women’s Championship after a thrilling game against Macarthur Rams. Simonsen recalls being confident that Manly could lift silverware at the end of that season.
“Our 1st Grade squad was so strong. We had a really good mix of W-League players and some players who had been at the club for a really long time. It was definitely an achievement that we were hoping to make, and it came true!
“It was exciting to know that we were going to be a part of something so memorable, especially for the players younger than us to look up to us and think ‘wow, it really isn’t that far of a path to get into 1st grade’.”
When asked about the importance of Back To Manly Day, Simonsen paid tribute to the women who came before her and helped make the Manly United women’s program what it is today.
“Without the women who paved the path, without what they’ve done and what they’ve pursued, Manly would never be, especially in the women’s department, where we’re at now.”
With words like these, it’s not surprising that Simonsen has only played for one NPL NSW team.
“Being there for so long, it’s my family, I couldn’t imagine playing for another club.”
On Sunday April 2, our Men’s game is at 2:30pm, while our Women’s team play at 5pm. Back To Manly Day will be a wonderful occasion and a chance to catch up with all the people who have contributed to the history of this club, so make sure you head to Cromer Park – The Far Post will be open from lunch until late into the night!
