100 games, 1000 ripples

This afternoon, NPL Women’s player Ashleigh Lefevre will step onto the pitch for her 100th game in Alamein colours. It’s a remarkable milestone for one of our club’s most loyal and talented players, but more than that, it’s a moment that speaks to the deeper culture we’re building at Alamein FC.

Ash joined us in 2018, already a Young Matilda and already known for her blistering pace down the wing. Since then, she’s been a fierce competitor, a leftie with a wicked cross, and someone who can turn a game in a heartbeat. But the legacy she’s creating goes well beyond goals and appearances.

Ash is the kind of senior player who quietly shows younger girls what’s possible. Who gives her time, her encouragement, and - most importantly - her example. Even when they’re not standing on the sidelines in person, our junior players are watching. They see her loyalty. They hear her advice. They feel her presence around the club, and they know: this is someone worth looking up to.

At Alamein, we talk a lot about player development, but not just in terms of drills, skills and results. We care just as much about mindset, resilience, and the kind of role models our girls are surrounded by during the years they’re most at risk of dropping out.

Why role models matter

Research consistently shows that girls are more likely to stay in sport when they feel a sense of belonging, when they can see older girls and women thriving in the environment, and when they have tangible role models they relate to, not just on TV, but on the pitch next to them.

That’s where clubs like Alamein FC can make a difference.

Because we are an all-female club, every player here sees women in every role: coaching, captaining, leading. And because our junior and senior programs are closely connected, it’s not unusual for a 12-year-old to find herself talking to a senior player, getting a word of advice, or simply watching how she carries herself under pressure.

It’s these moments that plant the seeds for what’s possible.

More than football

This isn’t just about building better footballers, it’s about helping girls build confidence, deal with setbacks, and feel seen. When our seniors take time to support the younger players, or share their own stories of injury, nerves, or bouncing back from defeat, it sends a message: you’re not alone, and you can do this.

Ash’s 100th game is a personal achievement. But for us, it’s also a celebration of what happens when women stay in the game: what happens when women lead, when they mentor, and when they inspire.

Watch: A conversation with Neve Duston and Ashleigh Lefevre

100 games. Countless lessons. In this special interview with fellow Alamein senior Neve Duston, Ashleigh Lefevre reflects on her milestone moment, shares why she’s stayed loyal to Alamein FC, and offers heartfelt advice to the next generation of girls in football.

At Alamein, we don’t just grow players, we grow people. That’s the heart of our “good human” policy, and it’s why we believe our model - female-led, mentorship-focused, and grounded in community - is one worth championing.

Because when girls are given the tools, the space, and the role models to thrive, they don’t just stay in sport, they flourish in it.