It has been a big year of football already for Darebin Falcons Darcy Vescio.
And it shows no signs of easing up as we count down to the 2015 VWFL Premier finals which begin on August 29.
The year has already seen her representing Victoria against WA at Domain Stadium in state football earlier this month, playing on the MCG for the Western Bulldogs in the first of two 2015 AFL Women’s Exhibition games and returning home to Wangaratta in a Premier Division game for Darebin – one of 10 home and away games this season she has played, with the Falcons now assured top spot on the ladder.
And in the last fortnight Vescio returned to Etihad Stadium for the first time since the 2014 AFL Women’s game in a curtain raiser match as part of the EJ Whitten Legends game.
It was a night to remember for Vescio, kicking three goals in the winning side.
She ran out with two Darebin Falcon teammates – Daisy Pearce and Aasta O’Connor – and faced eight teammates on the opposition side – Nicole Callinan, Jessica Dal Pos, Sarah Hammond, Katie Brennan, Rebecca Privitelli, Shannon Egan, Alex Reynolds and Elise O’Dea (coach) – in a trend she is getting used to in a busy representative year.
It is something she has had to adapt to quickly, having someone like Katie Brennan as a Falcons, Victorian and Bulldogs teammate but finding her an opponent at the EJ Whitten night.
“It is funny having to switch between the mid set all the time in a very busy part of the year,” Vescio said.
“You just need to adapt and change really quickly and not get too comfortable with who you are playing with, even at club level.”
Whoever she is playing with or against, for Vescio it is all about exposing people to women’s football.
It gives people a taste of what is to come later in the year and in the future with the game.
As Vescio explained, it might start with someone simply liking the VWFL on facebook to stay in the loop, but it helps grow the game and increase interest, seeing more people attend games at all levels.
Returning to her home town of Wangaratta earlier this year gave Vescio an opportunity to showcase her skills in a familiar setting and further promote women’s football.
Norms Minns Oval was the ground she had played in a winning premiership side for the Myrtleford Saints back in 2007 in an U14 Grand Final – her final year of junior football.
Back then she was outscoring the likes Jack Crisp (Collingwood) and Frazer Dale (Carlton) in a powerful Saints forward line. Not much has changed over the years as she sits in fifth on the VWFL goal kicking ladder this season.
“It was exciting to take women’s football to Wangaratta,” Vescio said.
“A lot of people have been very supportive and interested in my football playing in Melbourne.
“When I had to give it up they were sure that one day I would be able to play again
“It was a good chance for people to come and see what women’s football is all about.”
Despite her busy schedule this year, Vescio has also found time to be an AFL Victoria Ambassador for the VicHealth H30 Challenge, replacing sugary drinks with water for 30 days.
Through her role as an ambassador, Vescio has been helping spread the message about water being an effective replacement for sugary drinks, which are the largest source of sugars in the Australian diet.
It’s an important issue Vescio is getting behind Right behind.
Having recently completed the challenge, for Vescio it was all about educating herself to drink more water, and teach her body when it was needed.
“I don’t drink enough water,” she said.
“I am someone that mistakes thirst for hunger, which does not do you any favours.
Vescio aimed to increase her daily intake from one litre to two and a half litres, and eliminated sugar in her coffee as well.
She helped spread the word over the last few months about the benefits of switching to water instead of energy drinks, sports drinks, soft drinks and fruit drink through the various teams she was involved in. “Most of the girls are pretty healthy, but we can all try and step it up a notch in terms of drinking more water and making sure our bodies are receiving the right fluids.”
Want to take on the H30 Challenge? Visit www.h30challenge.com.au
Last Modified on 21/07/2015 15:34