Lucy Zeezou's Goal

by Liz Deep-Jones

  Papa joined in. ‘Yes, that’s a major concern, but I do understand where Lucy’s coming from. I know exactly how you feel, Lucy. It’s a privilege to know what you want at such an early age. To have a dream and a chance to fulfil it is to have life.’

  With Papa’s blessing I was able to continue my moment of truth. ‘Mama you want me to follow your dream, but it’s not for me. I want to live my dream and I hope that you’ll support me. Please, Mama, please!’

  Her mascara started to run as tears slowly flowed down her perfectly made-up face. She started to blot her cheeks with a handkerchief, but changed her mind and pulled me in for a fierce hug. ‘Well, I’ll try to understand your choice. I just want the best for you. I thought that you loved modelling. But you looked so happy out there today, just like your papa. How about our Love Lucy campaign, do you still want to do the commercial?’ She pulled away and looked at me closely.

  ‘I’m honoured to be the face of the campaign. The commercial will be fun because it’s for the family, plus I get to play with the football. It’ll be a blast. Just as long as you know that football comes before modelling,’ I said with conviction.

  That felt good. The truth was certainly uplifting, and it was exciting and reassuring to know that my dream was finally supported by my family – well, nearly. It might take Mama a bit of time to get used to it, but as long as I compromised with a few fashion appearances, it sounded like she might be happy.

  But our family bonding session was cut short. We arrived at my grandparents’ shop – to the awaiting media. Cameras flashed. The bright lights nearly blinded us as we raced to the front door.

  Papa tried to shield us, but they were unstoppable.

  ‘Did you know Max Spitzer has just been found?’

  ‘What do you think about his reconciliation with his uncle?’

  Was this true? He’d never mentioned his uncle. Maybe now he could enjoy a normal family life.

  But then they turned on us, starting with the Italian paparazzo Papa had rescued me from.

  ‘Paolo, a well-known Italian actress is claiming that you fathered her son seventeen years ago. Is this true?’

  ‘What do you think about his signing with your club?’

  ‘Lucy, how do you feel about having a step-brother?’

  The photographers closed in for shots of our bewildered faces.

  We were all shocked at these allegations, especially my parents. Nanna and Grandpa couldn’t take it any longer and managed to take shelter inside the shop with Gigi.

  Papa’s fury couldn’t be contained. Without hesitation he grabbed the troublesome Italian photographer and pushed him away. He snatched his camera and threw it to the ground, where it smashed into pieces. A fight nearly ensued when the photographer was assisted to his feet by his peers. He stood facing Papa, yelling at him. But instead of taking a swing, he was more concerned about his camera, screaming with fury and frantically trying to salvage his precious weapon.

  Papa roared at all of them in the kind of Italian I can’t translate for others’ ears. We were horrified to see him lose it, but I wasn’t entirely surprised. After all my family had gone through recently, the media had intruded once too often.

  Sirens dominated the night air as flashing blue lights zeroed in on the shop’s doorstep.

  Truth and lies … what should I believe? The famous life wasn’t what it seemed and now we faced yet another drama. I doubt I’ll ever enjoy a normal family life. Just when I thought my life was on track, there was this!

  And then a strange thing happened … it was as though everyone around me froze on the spot. I stepped out of the crazy scene and was back where I belonged on the football pitch, standing alongside my hero Zizou as we watched my penalty kick hit the back of the net. That sound was so sweet.

  La dolce vita!

  Liz asked members of Australia’s national women’s football team, the Matildas, about football, and striving for your goals. Here’s a peek at what they had to say …

  Cheryl Salisbury, captain

  Football has been part of my life for 27 out of 34 years. I don’t remember a life without football in it. It’s my world, nothing else matters when I’m out there.

  Each World Cup I have competed in has got better and better in terms of the standard of the football, the event in itself and the number of spectators coming to watch us play. The one in 2007 was even more special for me, as it was most likely my last and we achieved our best ever record at a World Cup.

  Sometimes it’s a tough dream, but in the end I wouldn’t change the way my life has panned out. I’ve travelled the world many times over, played in about 20 different countries and done it all playing a game I love.

  Dianne Alagich, defender

  I’ve been playing soccer since I was five years old. I’ve had many injuries over the years, but I’ve still managed to play in two Olympics, Sydney and Athens, and three World Cups. I also played professionally in the USA for three years.

  My family were heavily involved in football and I had four brothers who also played, so it was a very natural thing for me. I was kicking a ball around as soon as I could walk and football was the only thing I ever wanted to do.

  I reached my goals by loving the game and always having fun. I’ve always trained hard and always had belief in myself. I think the support of my family had a massive role in my success.

  The football field is one of the very few places where I don’t have a care in the world and it challenges me physically, mentally and emotionally. I love it. Even now that I have to work full time, I enjoy the healthy lifestyle that sports give me and the lifelong friendships I’ve made.

  Melissa Barbieri, goalkeeper

  I started playing in an all-boys team when I was eight and nine, but was banned after the club thought I would get hurt with the boys. I was upset, but I was sidetracked by other sports.

  I started playing again in an all-girls team at fourteen. Secretly, my mum was pushing me and telling me that girls could do whatever they wanted; it was my right to be just as good as the boys.

  When I was watching the Sydney Olympics opening ceremony I saw a couple of girls that I played against at national level and thought to myself, ‘Why aren’t I there?’ So I made it my goal to play at an Olympic Games. I trained every day, but unfortunately I had an injury that just wouldn’t go away. The doctors told me I would have to quit the game I loved. I didn’t like the sound of that and decided that I’d just stop running around, and so I became a goalkeeper. My dream came true in 2004, when I made the Athens Olympic team.

  I always remember a quote I once heard: ‘Never let success go to your head, or failure go to your heart!’

  Kim Carroll, defender

  After impatiently watching my older brother play football for years, I was down at the club signing up as soon as I was old enough to play. Throughout my junior years I was usually the only girl in predominantly boys’ teams and competitions. Playing with boys never bothered me, and I was fortunate enough to play with an accepting group of guys that were never fazed that I was a girl.

  I was offered a scholarship in Brisbane, and moving away from home at the age of only fifteen was very daunting. I had to sacrifice my family and friends to achieve my goal of playing for the QAS and Australia. But when you get to represent your country all the sacrifices seem minor. It’s an indescribable feeling.

  Although many may think of football as a men’s game, there are many girls all over the world playing, with participation levels still increasing.

  I love football. It’s all about the love and the thrill I get from playing, and the challenges and experiences make it all worthwhile.

  Lauren Colthorpe, midfielder

  I started playing soccer during lunchtimes at school with the boys. With around 60 kids fighting for one ball in a tight area, once you finally got it, you had to make it worth it! I would practise with my brothers and neighbours just about every afternoon. I couldn’t get enough! Having an older bro
ther who loved to compete with me meant soccer wasn’t only fun – sometimes it seemed like a matter of life and death!

  Ever since I joined my first club I wanted to play for the Matildas. I was never good with short-term goals. I only had one, and that was to play for Australia. When I play football I still feel the same as I always have: it’s enjoyment with no guilt, where you can test yourself. Now being an adult, it’s nice that for 90 minutes your only care is to help get the ball in the goal. I enjoy the football life and have met the most amazing people, who I would never have met otherwise.

  Heather Garriock, midfielder

  Football is my life, but I don’t let it rule my life. Family and friends are important to me, so I invest a lot of my time into them. I love to have a laugh and not take things too seriously – but having challenges is what makes me tick.

  My dad is football mad, so playing football was second nature to him as well introducing it to me. I was always a tomboy growing up. I realised around the age of ten that playing football was my passion and to represent my country would be a dream come true.

  Football makes me feel free of everything else going on in the world. It gives me an adrenalin rush that I can’t get from anything else I do. I wouldn’t trade the football life for anything in the world.

  Kate Gill, striker

  My football journey began when I was five years old, thanks to an energetic and friendly neighbourhood of boys. Countless hours of football were played on the local primary school oval. I dreamt of becoming a professional footballer since the age of five.

  The main ingredients an individual needs to reach their goals are desire, strength, determination and passion. If you don’t love what you are doing, why do it at all? The inspiration behind my passion for football was my grand father, who was a patriotic Everton supporter. When I’m playing football the feeling is indescribable. Nothing fazes me and it is the one true time that I love every moment.

  The life that football provides is fantastic; it has allowed me to visit all sorts of wonderful places. It also allows me to pursue an academic carrier outside of football, allowing me to maintain a balanced life, although this doesn’t come without a great deal of sacrifice and perseverance.

  Sally Shipard, midfielder

  I first started playing football at the age of five. My biggest influence was having three brothers; we all played plenty of different sports.

  I decided when I was about twelve that I wanted to be a Matilda. I remember watching them play at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. I decided then that I would focus on being a Matilda. Little did I know that four years later I would make my debut.

  Football makes me feel like … I play a game for a living! Of course I study and work on the side, but every day I get to wake up and think, ‘I’m an athlete and I represent my country.’

  Travelling the world with your best mates – doesn’t get much better than that. Obviously there are the ups and downs – having to balance uni or school can be difficult, but it’s all worth it.

  Thea Slatyer, defender

  I began playing football in kindergarten. My mum enrolled me in the school football team with the boys, as the only girl in the league. I used to think I was the only girl ever to play!

  Football hit a nerve with me naturally, I fell in love with it instantly. I looked up to older Matildas players, such as Julie Murray and Sunni Hughes, for encouragement and inspiration – they were what I wanted to be. But I also looked up to other athletes for their tenacity and courage – I aspired to their fearlessness.

  Making the national team was never something I questioned; it was just a matter of when. Of course, none of it could have happened without the support of my parents. But I think once I got the idea in my head, there was no stopping me. Either someone’s belief in you encourages you, or their disbelief in you motivates you to want to prove them wrong. You’ve gotta have heart and you’ve got to sacrifice.

  Reporting on the 1998 World Cup in Paris consolidated my love affair with football. It’s where I experienced the power and passion of the game and its ability to break down barriers and bring together people from all backgrounds.

  Football, its fans and my life experiences have given me the essential fuel to feed my story and I feel privileged to have this incredible opportunity to share this with you. I’d like to thank the following friends and family whose love and support have ensured that my dream has become a reality.

  I’m forever grateful to Jeanne Ryckmans for her belief in me and planting the seed that has changed my life. My amazing and nurturing publisher, Linsay Knight, for recognising my passion and commitment. My fabulous editor, Kimberley Bennett, for capturing the essence of the story and for her expertise. Jean Paul Calvaruso, who made the Italian flavour come alive. Tom Sermanni and the Matildas, for sharing their inspirational stories. The late Andrea Stretton, for believing in me, and Johnny Warren, for encouraging my love of football.

  My mum and dad, for their unconditional love and the magical experiences growing up above their fruit store. My brother Danny, my guiding light and motivator. Auntie Yvette, for sharing my lust for life. Helen Chu, for recognising my ability to write a children’s tale. My sister Tracey, the lioness, for strength and courage. John Amek, for his organic treats. My sister Elle, and Harry Loumanis, for their homemade chocolates and my brother David, who shares my passion for sport. Kylie Kwong, for her soulful food. Hilary Adams, for her guidance. Marcella Kaspar, for her artistic eye. Christine Stavropoulos, for her energy and commitment. Mena Labbozetta for making things happen.

  Paolo Maldini and Christian Vieri, Jai Kaldor, Ana Kypreos, Sarah Holloway, Pino Paonessa, Enrico Paradiso, Phil Moss, Andy Harper, Julie Murray, Bianca Polinelli, Lee Lin Chin, Deborah Abela, Suzanne Leal, Carolyn Hardy, Tami Roos, Jennie Clavin, Anastasia Cummings, Nicole Howard, Peter Hennessey, Robert England, Karla Grant, Adriana Nunez and Shelley Burnham.

  John Genner, for inspiring me to think big. Woollahra School mums, Queens Park 11As football team of 2007 and their football mums and dads, the real Coach James McKechnie and his assistant Peter Jones.

  My inspirational nieces and nephews: Connor, Lee, Jackson, Riley, Cocoa, Sahara, Brandan, Jared, Jasmin, Daley, Zakk, Khobi, Chase and Zali.

  Marie and John Jones for their love and funny tales.

  And to my husband Derek, a football tragic who helped me deliver the right football language and my gorgeous kids, Dylan and Bella, thank you for putting up with my obsession with Lucy.

  Photograph by Derek Jones

  Liz Deep-Jones started her media career as a journalist and television presenter for SBS Television on one of Australia’s most popular prime-time live sports programs. She’s also enjoyed stints in the radio, magazine and film industries.

  Her career highlights include reporting on the 1998 FIFA World Cup in Paris and the Sydney 2000 Olympics, where she met her idol Nelson Mandela. She’s also reported for SBS TV’s indigenous news program, Living Black, produced the Deadly Awards at the Sydney Opera House and highlights packages of the Australian Tennis Open for overseas television networks. She’s enjoyed guest appearances on Channel 10’s The Panel and Adam Spencer’s breakfast radio show.

  Liz is proud to be a UNICEF Australia Ambassador, and MCs charity events for the fund. UNICEF aims to improve the quality of kids’ lives around the world. If you’re interested in finding out more, please visit www.unicef.org.au or their youth related site, ‘UNICEF Voices of Youth’, at www.unicef.org/voy.

  Liz’s love for the world game extends to her family life, where she manages her son’s football team. She’s living her dream writing books and encouraging kids to pursue their passion and to explore their imagination through her author talks and writing workshops. She’s currently writing her second book. She lives in Sydney with her family. You can find out more about Liz and her debut book at:

  www.lucyzeezou.com

  Photo: AC Milan Academy Australia

  International football legend Paolo Mal
dini with

  Lucy Zeezou’s Goal