First Ainslie woman to make hall of fame status
By: Samantha Engel
You might say Danielle Curcio is a born footballer. A die hard Collingwood fan, she attended her first football games in her mum’s tummy. Five months later her mum gave birth, but it wasn’t until some 15 years later that this football star was born.
On a chilly Canberra morning in 2001, the young Dani put the mighty Tricolours guernsey on for the first time. Recruited to the team by daughters of former coach Shane Gnaden, Dani admits some truths about her first season.
“Even though I had been watching the Pies my whole life, I never considered taking up the sport.
I didn’t play that much in my first season. I spent a lot of time on the bench because I wasn’t very good.”
This superstar in the waiting didn’t spend much more time on the bench again after her first season. In 2002, Dani racked up numerous best on ground votes and was awarded the club’s Most Improved Player for the season.
Her climb to the top continued, named Runner-Up Best and Fairest in 2003, swiftly followed by the prestigious Best and Fairest award the next year. Dani has represented the ACT at two National Championships and was named in the Team of Decade in 2007.
“When you add it all up like that, I have not had a bad run at all,” Dani says smiling from ear to ear. “It has certainly been one hell of a ride.”
However, Dani’s career has not always been a walk in the park. On one fateful morning in 2007, in the dying minutes of the fourth quarter, her dream run came to a crashing halt.
“It was our last regular season game against Tuggeranong. I was playing across the centres and took a massive knock in a contested mark. I shattered three quarters of my knee cap, ending my season and possibly my career.”
Dani spent two hours in surgery having her knee reconstructed and held together by nine screws and told she may never be able to play contact sport again.
Gutted but determined, Dani took on the role as team manger in season 2008 while focusing on her strength and recovery process. However, life on the other side of that white line was challenging.
“Look, I took my injury very seriously, and all the advice I had been given. But I tried being the manager and I tried being the water runner and neither satisfied me.”
Every time I stepped on the ground, I wanted to touch that ball. I just couldn’t be that close and not play.”
Dani has played in the ruck, across the centre, had a stint in the backline and is now an established forward pocket. She has kicked a career 50 goals.
On Saturday May 14th Dani kicked another goal, playing 100 games for the mighty Tricolours, making her the first female footballer to do so for the Ainslie Football Club.
Club legend and now coach of the women’s team, Kendelle Treloar, has played alongside Dani at both club and representative levels.
“I started playing with Dani when she still was wearing braces!
Dani has always been a great player, naturally athletic and boy, can she take a mark.
I am honoured to have played alongside such a calibre of player and to be her coach on such a memorable occasion for her and the club. Congratulations Dani!”
END
* photos taken by Mel Kershaw
Last Modified on 19/05/2011 22:54