Tuggeranong Valley Australian Football and Netball Club champion Kat Ghirardello. Photo: Supplied.
The concept of a sporting dynasty is thrown around a fair bit in sport, but in the case of the Ghirardello family and their influence on the Tuggeranong Valley Football and Netball Club, it has never been more worthy.
Father Ray, a former player and coach, is now on the board; Kat’s brothers, Matt and Tim, are both former club champions; sister Anne-Marie is also a player; and Kat is on the verge of a major milestone this weekend.
On Saturday, Kat will line up for her 200th first-grade game for her beloved Tuggeranong team when they take on Eastlake at Phillip.
Given she made her first-grade debut in 2003 at the age of 16, the milestone game has been a long time coming.
Knee reconstructions have ended the careers of many a footballer, but for Kat, it’s been just one part of her ongoing career.
“I’ve had two ACL reconstructions, 10 years apart. Each knee took me two years each time to get back into it. It is not just about getting back to full fitness, there is a mental aspect as well because of the worry that it might happen again.”
It’s a family affair. Will Prouse, daughter Sloane and Kat Ghirardello. Photo: Supplied.
Now, at 37 years of age, Kat is preparing to play her 200th first-grade game to become only the third player in the club’s history to achieve this milestone, alongside Amy Currie and Kerry Hayes.
Kat said there was never really a moment when she thought she wouldn’t come back.
“When I went down to games when I was recovering from the reconstructions and I was sitting on the sidelines, I couldn’t wait to get back out there.”
And Tuggeranong couldn’t wait to get her back on the field, which is understandable given the impact she has had in and around the club.
As a five-time premiership player, captain of the women’s team, club best and fairest winner, an AFL Canberra representative player on multiple occasions, as well as being the club’s leading goal kicker, it’s understandable why they were desperate to have her back playing.
The support of the Tuggeranong Club in getting her ready to play again was also vital to her achievement.
“The whole club has been great. It feels like one big family. It’s not just my dad, my brothers and sister, it’s the volunteers, players and the coaches.”
To further the family involvement, her husband Will is an assistant coach with the women’s first-grade side, and Kat is looking at the prospect of coaching in the future.
Kat Ghirardello with daughter Sloane. Photo: Supplied.
For now, with daughter Sloane only three years of age, Kat is attending to the next generation’s involvement in the sport.
“She is learning to kick the footy. She can start Auskick when she turns five and I might put my hand up to coach her.”
It would appear the Ghirardello dynasty shows no sign of abating.
For the moment, though, the focus is on Kat’s incredible milestone game this weekend.
Watch Kat’s 200th in Round 9 of the AFL Canberra Women’s competition this Saturday, 29 June, at 10:45 am against Eastlake at EPC Solar Park.
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