30th July 2014, Dave O'Niel
There aren’t many footballers who can claim to have been playing longer than Dustin Fletcher at senior level.
Victorian Women’s Football League stalwart Debbie Lee will become just the third woman ever to chalk up the magical 300-game milestone when she pulls on her beloved St Albans Spurs jumper this weekend.
At 40 years of age, a full year older than the current Essendon great, Lee is nearing the end of her 23rd and final season.
After winning a premiership in her first season at just 17 with the now defunct East Brunswick Scorpions, Lee has forged a career overflowing with accolades.
The midfielder has five league Helen Lambert Medals (VWFLPremier Divisionbest and fairest) and a host of club honours, represented Victoria a remarkable 15 times, named in the All-Australian team on five occasions and will finish her career with three premierships to her name.
Lee’s efforts to champion the women’s game on and off the field has seen two separate medals named in her honour and resulted in her winning the 2009 Football Woman of the Year.
Despite her standing in the sport, Lee said it was humbling to see female football grow and develop over the years.
“When I first started playing with the East Brunswick Scorpions it was a six team competition, with only one division. So I’ve certainly seen across the decades the game change for the better in terms of the skill level and these great athletes that play the game now,” Lee said.
“It’s really pleasing to see that the sport has evolved so much and hopefully I have played a small role in that.”
Even before assuming the presidency of the competition from 2004-2012, Lee was instrumental in the expansion of the VWFL.
After leaving the Scorpions, Lee had the foresight at just 19 years of age to begin her own club at Sunshine YCW (later moved to St Albans) and help the game grow in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Despite the Spurs battling on the field in the early years, Lee said it was the type of challenge that had prolonged her career.
“I’m pretty passionate about the sport and I think that’s what’s kept my interest up and driven my enthusiasm for it both on and off the field,” Lee said.
“There are some great challenges about women playing a male dominated sport and even beginning playing at 17 in the early nineties and starting your own team at just 19, you learn so much about yourself.”
“Throughout my journey, footy has taught me to grow as a person and some of the obstacles that I have had to face along the way have helped with that.
“Footy has the great culture, culture within your home club and culture in terms of the broader sporting landscape and it’s the people you meet that keep you going.”
With her career spanning more than two decades, Lee said the list of opponents and teammates she has enjoyed playing with and against was endless.
“Especially in my early days there I used to be tagged by some really tough opponents in Sarah Hammond who is still playing with Darebin and Anna Brown who is a former Albion player,” Lee said.
“I’ve also played with some great players at the spurs including Lisa Hellard, Belinda Miggiani and the list goes on.”
“The current crop of Daisy Pearce, Lou Wotton, Emma Kearney, Steph Chiocci, Katie Brennan, Mel Hickey, they are really talented and have a great understanding of the game which is helping take the VWFL to a new level.”
In a twist of fate, Lee’s 300th game will coincide with two other important milestones this weekend.
Eastern Devils star Brooke Fox celebrates her 200th match in the same game, while Lee’s Spurs teammate Jess Capovilla runs out in her 100th.
And while Lee says this season “will definitely be her last”, her influence of female football is almost certain to continue.
Now working with the Melbourne Football Club as Community Manager, Lee has been a driver of the Female Exhibition match between the Demons and the Western Bulldogs now played annually and is as passionate as ever about providing opportunities for female footballers.
“I hope I can continue to be involved, and help grow women’s football, adding value where I can to give girls an opportunity through football and sport in general.”
Lee joins Belinda Bowey (St Kilda Sharks) and South Australia’s Catherine Mulvihill as the only female footballers to have reached the 300-game mark.
Last Modified on 30/07/2014 17:21