Although the COVID-19 pandemic took a tremendous toll on the football community, crisis can breed opportunity. For Fawkner SC, the 2020 disruption paved the way for the Club to reinvent its women and girls program and for the Club's new talisman, Sahily Carrero, it provided a gateway to overcome adversity and find a new lease on life.
Following a tragic work incident, Carrero lost her arm shortly after emigrating to Australia from her native Colombia. Struggling through Melbourne's first lockdown and faced with a daunting road to recovery, she turned to the one thing that she thought would help her feel connected to her friends and family – football.
Finding a second home at Fawkner SC, she was warmly welcomed into the fold and through sheer dedication, hard work and the support of her Club, has become an inspirational figure for athletes of all abilities.
"As a true Columbian, football is a part of my DNA so when the Club welcomed me in and believed in me without hesitation, it made me feel like nothing is impossible," Carrero said.
"It was tough. My family are all overseas and they were not able to be here to support me through my injury, the amputation and the recover. Despite the challenges, it meant the world to me to have the opportunity to join the Fawkner SC and focus on something constructive."
For Greg Ziegler, Female Football Program Manager at Fawkner SC, seeing Carrero take to the pitch represented everything the Club stands for.
"To say that we had lump in our throat and tears in our eyes is probably putting it lightly. Here was this amazing player who has literally just got out of hospital 4-5 month earlier, having been in a coma, running around playing State 3 football. It puts everything in perspective, doesn’t it?" Ziegler said.
"What we are most proud of is the way the players have embraced Sahily and the word disability doesn’t even register with any of us. Sahily is one of us, no different to any other player in the team. She has to obviously work harder than the rest of the team due to her challenges, but we have always treated her as an equal. And she has always wanted that."
"The day that Sahily scored her first goal was amazing. The whole team ran in to congratulate and I think even some of the opposition were applauding her. We look forward to Sahily achieving even more on and off the pitch. We feel very privileged to have played a small part in Sahily’s journey to recovery. She is our hero and inspiration."
With Carrero acting as a figurehead for everything the Club stands for, Ziegler and the staff at Fawkner SC have worked tirelessly to create a thriving female program that is competitive on the field, and inseparable off it.
"We are committed and focused on making Fawkner SC a destination club for female football. Rome wasn’t built in a day and we are very conscious of this, but with great support from the Club Board, Committee and generally people around the Club, we have no doubt we will achieve this. We have dedicated group of people whose sole focus is the Female Football Program but the Club as a whole is also committed to the program," Ziegler added.
"We also want to ensure that the Club and the Female Program are part of the community. We have a dedicated charity partner – Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre. We support all abilities players. There is a lot we do with the players to ensure they are as good off the pitch as they are on it."
Playing at CB Smith Reserve in Fawkner, the Club has access to elite female-friendly facilities and state-of-the-art training and playing pitches. The infrastructure is a major attraction for the players and their families and something Ziegler believes can serve as a foundation for long-term success.
"The physical infrastructure is here. The support of the Club is here. There are no reasons we cannot make Fawkner SC a destination Club for female football in the North-West region. But we must be patient and ensure this is done in a planned manner to ensure long term longevity of the Female Football Program at FSC. The buildings don’t make the Club what it is, it is the people and the players," he said.
Playing in Women's State League 3 North, the Club was well placed in fourth position prior to the COVID-19 forced season cancellation. Now, as the 2022 community season is drawing closer, Carrero has a simple message for people with a disability - get involved in our great game.
"I would love to motivate and encourage all people, and especially those who have disabilities, because there is always a new way of looking at life. The game makes you feel again, it makes you feel free. Regardless of the circumstances, it will bring you happiness and a sense of achievement," she said.
"In the future I see myself helping people in sports and especially people with disabilities. I would like to help them in form of coaching, rehabilitation, training, the mental health support is a very important role for everyone, I would like to help in all possible ways so that through my advocacy, they see the light and willingness within all of us."
"I would love for everyone to be inspired by my story."
To find your perfect football fit, visit www.playfootball.com.au.
Football Victoria also hosts a comprehensive All Abilities Program which caters to people of all skill levels and capabilities. Learn more via the link below.