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If you have been an avid viewer of this year’s Westfields W-league, broadcast on the ABC on Sundays, then you would know the Aussie voice of commentator and former Matilda (66 caps) Alicia Ferguson. Alicia first received a scholarship to the QAS squad when only 13 which involved training five nights a week. When Tom Sermanni left the job, QAS coach at the time Greg Brown replaced him.
As Alicia relates;
“Brownie was a striker and so was I at that point, which was brilliant because I learnt so much from him about playing up front. He gave me an opportunity to travel with the Matildas to Europe for five weeks which was a dream come true. I made my debut against Hungary and was so excited to be wearing the Australian jersey and being surrounded by my football heroes. We travelled to Sweden, Finland, Norway, Hungary, Estonia, Belgium and Holland on that tour and even though we had mixed results, the experience for me was phenomenal.”
Alicia was the youngest of five children and smiles as she replays past events;
“My brother Scott played football so I used to kick around with him in the backyard until I was old enough to play. I started playing up in Cairns when my family moved from Brisbane for a few years and was the only girl in my competition back then. Scott used to kick lumps out of me and I was never able to beat him (and still can’t) so that’s probably where my competitive nature was formed.
"When my family moved back to Brisbane I continued playing with the boys at Mt Gravatt Soccer Club, then played with the boys on Saturdays and the girls on Sundays for a season before just playing with the girls and then being offered a scholarship with the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS).”
Having played for Australia an incredible sixty six times who does Alicia credit as the hardest and best players she has competed again and with?
“Kristine Lilley from the USA was the hardest player I’ve played against. Her work rate, movement off the ball & technique makes it very difficult to even get close to her let alone win the ball off her. She’s a true legend of women’s football having played 352 times for the USA & winning numerous Olympic gold medals & FIFA World Cups.
"The best player I’ve not only had the pleasure of playing with but is a great friend of mine is Julie Murray. Julie is a former Matilda who taught me a lot when I first got selected in the Aussie team. Julie was a striker but a clever footballer in general with great technique, tactical awareness & ability to score goals.”
Alicia’s most memorable moment in her career;
“Walking in to the Olympic Stadium at the opening ceremony for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. It still gives me goosebumps to this day when I remember the deafening noise of the crowd when we entered the stadium.”
Alicia also holds a record in the books for something else in Football and with that Aussie cheeky shenanigan smile she tells;
“I was sent off in the 2nd minute against China at the 1999 World Cup in the USA. It is the record for the quickest sending off at a Women’s World Cup so my name appears in every World Cup program for that statistic, which my family are very proud of!”
To make matters even more amusing it was the World FIFA Fair Play Day!
Alicia played in the first season of the W-League for the Queensland Roar which they won. Unfortunately she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the semi-final against Sydney FC and had to have a knee reconstruction which meant she missed the final and was looking at another 6-9 months of rehab. That was her second knee reconstruction (one on each knee) so was the perfect indication that it was the right time for her to hang up the boots from elite football.
Her thoughts on the W-league;
“The W-League has improved tremendously over its first 3 years. The quality of football is improving every season. We’re seeing some fantastic young talent coming through the ranks and are attracting international players who add depth to the league.
"With the added bonus of the league being televised on ABC, it gives young players something to aspire to, fans the ability to follow their team with live TV games and the general public get more regular exposure to women’s football.”
And talking about the televised coverage, how did Alicia get on board with the ABC;
“I had expressed my interest in commentating to a few people and was given an opportunity to commentate the Matildas v DPR Korea friendly in Brisbane in 2010. From there ABC asked me to travel to the Asian Cup in China to commentate that tournament which the Matildas won. That was a fantastic experience and I learnt so much from Peter Wilkins who I do the commentating with.
"Wilko has been around forever and his experience and advice has helped me develop as a commentator. We have a very good rapport and I really enjoy working with him and the whole ABC crew. They’re such a supportive group of people which makes my job much easier.”
With the next big event in the Women’s game, the World Cup, does Alicia have any involvement?
“I’ve been lucky enough to get a job working with ESPN over in Germany for the World Cup which I’m very excited about. I’ll be working with former US players Julie Foudy, Brandi Chastain, Brianna Scurry and Kate Markgraf. These are players who have a wealth of experience and have won Olympic gold medals and World Cup trophies so I can’t wait to get over there for what I think will be the best Women’s World Cup tournament to date.
"Ticket sales have already reached over 500,000 which is exceptional and along with the organisation, world class stadiums and quality of football on display, I can see this World Cup being a huge success.
"As for the Matildas, I’m predicting they make it through their group and on to at least the quarter finals. It’s a tough group against the likes of Brazil & Norway, but the Matildas have a good mix of young, dynamic players and experienced, mature players who have already won an Asian Cup.”
The Sack sends thanks to Alicia Ferguson for chatting and wishes her the best for the future in her roles of commentating and coaching.
Pictured- Chris “stealing the ball” from Alicia Ferguson during an Advanced Coaching Licence.
Photos- Marc O’Donoghue