Charli COLLARD

We caught up with Charli Collard, our Girls Football representative, to ask her a few questions. Here's what she had to say.

Tell us a little bit about your football career.

I started playing ankle-biter footy (with boys) at Ellerslie and I couldn’t get enough of footy in my teens. I was that insufferable “oh sorry I’ve got footy” girl at school.

I played for our age group rep teams at Ellerslie which got me invited to the Auckland regional team for 4 years (U14s & U16s). We travelled each year to Wellington for a National Age Group Tournament, and played an International friendly against New Caledonia. I then worked my ass off and was invited to the Women’s First team at 15. Was daunting, but worth it. We worked our way up from Conference to the Premiere League over a few years.

What was your biggest moment.

What stands out the most for me is when we beat Hibiscus Coast in the playoffs to be promoted into the premier league back in 2019. Being on the pitch, after working our asses off for the last few years and finally achieving the goal we set out to achieve together… the most indescribable feeling. The achievement itself was incredible, but I think it was more to do with the family we had become along the way and the love throughout the whole team, keeper to striker. That’s the best part about footy to me.

How did you find yourself at the Mighty Bay.

After taking a year off for a concussion, I had moved to a new flat with strangers in New Lynn. My flatmate learned I played footy and later came to me and mentioned Bay Olympic. She said it was down the road and the people were fantastic and that I should join… little did I know I was talking to Pete & Debbie’s daughter!!!!

I wasn’t sure at first as I had never moved clubs before, but after going down for a couple trainings and meeting the people I did, it was pretty much history!

What do you love about the Bay.

I think what kept me at one club for so long was the friends and community that came with it, and that was the same feeling I got when I first started getting involved at Bay. The down to earth people, absolute characters everywhere you go, and just such lovely and friendly community to keep it running. People that actually care and believe in what they do is what I love and why I’ll stay. I gotta say, the mighty Bay has my heart.

What is your football ambition for this season

Aside from the obvious (PROMOTION!!) I am hoping to be as injury free as possible, do good by the U16 TDP Girls and keep supporting the girls side of the club as much as I physically can! I’ve loved helping out Mark and the team where needed and hope I continue to do so. I’m also hungry for a few more header goals this season!

A parting tale 

Back in the day, I broke my wrist one game. We found a loophole and got approval to play with my cast - as long as it was bubble wrapped!! During these weeks I felt like I had a weapon on the end of my arm.