TMK Sponsors Adelaide City Soccer Player Emily Gale

Q: Which position do you play?
Typically I am a midfielder so there is plenty of running.

Q: Why did you choose to join Adelaide City?
I chose to play for City partly because I love the City environment, but also because of the Coaches for the year. It’s always exciting when there’s a female coach appointed, and with Tiarn and Diaz both being involved in the club when I was there previously, this made my decision easier.

Q: When did you start playing football and why did you get into it?
I’ve been around soccer forever, with my Dad and brother both playing. I think I was 4 when I did a Zebra Foals clinic, run by Adelaide City.

Q: How has your football career progressed?
I’ve been at City for most of my juniors, and then I had a short stint as a goalkeeper with the FSA State program in U13s. I then decided goalkeeping was not for me, and went back to City, but this time in the Senior program. It was an amazing squad to be a part of, but after 3 years I decided I would change clubs for a bit. After a couple of years at Comets, getting game experience, and then a season at West, which was amazing, it was time to come back to the home club.

Q: What is the best thing that has come from playing the game?
It’s pretty easy to say that the best thing that has come from the game would be all the connections you make; whether it be from teammates, coaches or even opposition players.

Q: Who is your favourite team?
Manchester United.

What is the importance of sponsorship?
Getting sponsorships is such an important part of the game. Behind the scenes, there are so many different costs of running a club, let alone paying players. TMK has been involved with Adelaide City for a few years with the juniors, so for them to agree to be my player sponsor was amazing. These funds help the club run more efficiently which has the knock-on effect of enabling players to excel.

Q: How do you feel the season is going?
The season is going pretty well so far, although we’ve had some mixed results, the team is looking good and we’re improving with each game. If we keep playing a good brand of football, we’ll get the results we’re wanting and finish the season strong.

Q: What are your thoughts on the FIFA Women’s world cup being played in ANZ?
Having the FIFA Women’s World Cup played in Australia and New Zealand is such an exciting opportunity. It will show everyone that people really do care about women’s soccer, and that women can play at the same level as men. It will give young girls, whether they are involved in soccer or not, the opportunity to not only see that you can play, but that you can grow up and keep playing.

Q: How do you feel football has developed for women during the last 10 years- for example, pay and opportunities?
Women’s football has developed so much during the last 10 years. The junior leagues are getting bigger, and there are all-girls teams in primary schools, which barely happened when I was younger. The facilities are getting better, and for the WNPL it’s being treated more like how the men’s games are treated. Players are being paid more than ever, with minimum pay requirements improving in the W-League. Whilst these changes are exciting, they aren’t enough and we need to keep pushing for more.

Q: What is your day job?
I’m working for the Executive Office for the community trust of a Native Title holder. I’ve always been pretty passionate about various social issues and was wanting to work in the Indigenous sector, so when my Aunt told me about a job opportunity there, I had to take it.

Q: Do you play other sports?
In the off-season, I usually play Futsal or Gaelic Football. I guess I really like football!