Born Ready To Be Loud

“Every inch we push, we just keep expanding the space a little bit more. I’m happy to be part of the group that pushes for that space,” says Darcy Vescio.

As one of the AFLW’s most engaging and explosive players, Darcy has been bringing their authentic self to the conversation — on field and off — since the league began. “Being on the field, that's a really comfortable space for me,” Darcy says. “You can yell and scream, throw your body around. You can have quiet moments with teammates. There’s such a vast array of what you can be when you're on the field. I love that about the game.”

Darcy’s introduction to football as a child was steeped in the family and friendship of their local club. But by 13, they were the last girl in the league and were forced to give the game away. Returning to the sport by chance at 18, they discovered a community of women and gender diverse people who loved football as much as they did. “Being able to be whatever you want to be within that space and feel like you belong just as much as the person next to you. That’s what that team gave me,” Darcy says.

Darcy quickly became a cult figure in the AFLW and today is a game changer in more ways than one. Their willingness to be loud and push to the edges of football and of themselves is something Darcy hopes will open up space for the athletes that will come after them. Whether they’re using their voice on the field or off it, Darcy values the way that the game allows for self-expression.

“Nothing is really off limits when you're on the football field,” Darcy says.

Connectedness. When we're able to talk to each other the whole time during the game, when you're able to take a moment to acknowledge your teammates’ actions and reciprocate that as well, that’s when it feels like you're in it together.

I think we draw a lot of energy from each other. Often it can just take one person doing something with effort and intensity, and everyone draws power from that moment.

Growing up, I ended up being the only girl in the league. So, it really did feel like you're the lone ranger just doing your thing. So being part of a team and seeing how many of us there are means everything.

Creativity. In footy, there are so many structures and patterns, but the same thing never happens twice. It's always different and you have to respond to so many different things.

You can be the fittest, strongest, in the best position, your teammate can kick it in a great spot, and then the ball can bounce the wrong way. I love that.

It’s a full-body experience. You really have to throw your whole self into the game. It is definitely very physical, but it's also very mental as well. I like the way you're encouraged to use your body, and I felt like growing up, there probably weren't that many other spaces that a young girl gets to use their body in such a way.

Footy also lets me express strength and it gives me confidence throughout other areas of my life. I wouldn’t have found my creative voice without the confidence footy gives me.

The more you do it, it becomes a practice and something that you build confidence from.

You are going to get people pushing back or feeling uncomfortable, but that's what it takes to be able to move things forward. By being your authentic self and showing people that there are different perspectives, different voices. By showing up.

I want to be able to push and create that for other people too because I feel like I’m just holding the baton for a little while, so I’ve just got to do what I can.