What Canberra United means to me – a country kid

One thing I’m extraordinarily proud of is growing up in the country. It’s opened up different doors than my city peers – and in beautiful ways.

I wouldn’t be the journalist I am today without it. It helped me settle in so quickly on Tassie’s North-West Coast, telling tales of regional communities in both news and sport. I think I did alright at that, and being able to speak with people from a place and deep knowledge of living in small, isolated towns that punch above their weight I feel really helped.

That only grew further last year working remotely and despite being in the “big city” of Melbourne – I knew the issues facing country communities ranging from agriculture to small businesses to unreal events that pop up scattered across a region.

In much the same way, Canberra, despite being the nation’s capital and the “big smoke”, represents the country. It draws in players from across country NSW and offers a super visible pathway that’s often blocked if you’re not in a city.

I remember watching Canberra and seeing girls from Wagga and Dubbo, towns near where I grew up in Leeton, and thinking they’re like me. They’re from the country, they know what it’s like to represent a small place and have big dreams.

They know what it’s like to have little alternative but to play sport, no matter what the code, to beat the boredom that can come from living in small towns that don’t have much more going on.

That same connection doesn’t happen with clubs from the city. It doesn’t matter how much I support a different side, Canberra will always be dear to me because of its roots in the country. It’s in the country hospitality that can also turn a stadium into a hostile cauldron when rivalries flare with city counterparts.

A lot has been said about the seemingly shaky future of Canberra United. There’s certainly people more qualified and in the know to speak on that.

What I do feel qualified to say is, coming from a small town and now adopted to a small island state, we need clubs representing us. It’s where the heart and soul of sport is found – inherently Australian.

Anything other than a strong viable future for Canberra United would be shattering and a huge step backwards for not just our game, but sport nationwide.

We need Canberra United and small clubs like it to keep young country kids not just dreaming but seeing professional football as a tangible pathway.