It’s taken a hot minute to realise, but my Roman Empire is a panel held during the Women’s World Cup that included Julie Dolan and Emma Checker.
Almost immediately I was struck by the leadership both Dolan and Checker exuded. Even if you didn’t knowing one was the Matildas’ first captain, the other having served as skipper at City for seasons – it was obvious they were leaders.
Side note, we also heard from Canadian journalist Shireen Ahmed who oozes activism and leadership and was incredibly inspiring.
Now, almost nine months after seeing Checker in her element, the W-League veteran is retiring and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to share my Roman Empire.
The qualities of a leader are sometimes difficult to put into words, there’s an air and it doesn’t always translate to tv. I knew Checker, and Dolan, were captains on paper. But to be in a room where they’re talking in front of friends and strangers is to put to test what that armband is, and the air of grace, passion and experience was on show.
Checker was able to provide the connection between the Matildas being a muted in mainstream media when match payments weren’t a thing through to seeing a nation captured in Matildas frenzy. I can imagine the pride she would speak with now about the impact the World Cup has had on football across the country.
If I had to pin down one key quality of a leader it would be seeing beyond yourself and the here and now. That’s what Checker offered when responding to how important the success of Australia/NZ doing well at the WWC for the future of soccer in those countries.
“Obviously, a lot of responsibility is on Australia and New Zealand, but I think it is mostly bigger than that,” Checker said.
“I think it’s everyone’s responsibility, whether host nations but … I do think it’s the responsibility of all of us collectively, because we are the World Game, and every nation in this tournament is obviously fighting their own battles.
“And so you have your own independent battles. But I think it does go bigger to being we are united in working towards an end goal collectively. So I think regardless of who it is in the finals … it’s on everyone to do their part.”
A journey woman, having played in Adelaide, Canberra, City and Victory – it’s easy to wonder if she could’ve been the Matildas captain marshalling the defence had it not been for cruel ACL injury while at Canberra that probably denied her the opportunity to reach her full potential required to really make an impact at international level.
However, dwelling on the “what ifs” would undermine the impact Checker’s had on Australian football. Her leadership guided City through a time of transition stacked with big name players to a team with the next generation of young guns. My favourite moment this season was when Jess Nash went down with injury and everyone was asking “who’s going to fill in at right back”, and with absolutely no fuss it was Checker – fitting in seamlessly up against a pacey winger.
Off the pitch, Checker has been involved with the PFA, the players’ union who drives for better conditions for our W-League players.
On her experience with the PFA, Checker said: “so as a player, I’ve always felt like I understood just how much work goes into representing us and challenging the CBA and negotiating for better standards.”
“And it wasn’t until I became employed by them that I actually saw the work that goes in.
“… the people behind the scenes, there’s so much tireless work and hours that doesn’t get credit – for the players to be in the position that they are.
“[Some may think improving standards will just get done] but It takes people in the right roles with the right attitude and desire to actually get it done.”
On Sunday, as Checker walks out for potentially her last A-League Women’s game with Victory on the cusp of finals football, even without a captain’s armband, she should be remembered as one of the competition’s best leaders on and off the pitch. She’s left the sport in a better place than what it was.
So thank you Emma for showing us what being a captain is all about, and also for your time having a chat with me afterwards, it was a highlight from an extremely memorable day.
Also, a shout out to my friend, Groubes, for giving me a recording from the World Cup panel and having the foresight that I would (eventually) write something up on it.
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