Nicole Hales, inaugural Collingwood VFLW player since 2018 is the first women’s player to reach the 50 game milestone.
Hales, a mad Collingwood fan from a young age, is grateful she gets to play for the club she has supported her whole life.
Her grandfather Brian Sullivan played in Collingwood’s VFL under 19s and played in the 1960 premiership side. Her and her family have been Collingwood fan’s since she can remember, so playing for the Pies was a dream come true.
“It was pretty awesome to play for the team I grew up barracking for – I couldn’t believe I was actually playing for Collingwood, especially in its first season of VFLW. My family was so proud of me which was awesome,” Hales said.
An active child from a young age, Hales played a number of sports such as football and basketball. Hales begun her football career by playing Auskick and then moving on to play Under 10’s with her local football club; Greensborough Football Club, before moving on to Diamond Creek Women's Football Club.
Playing with the boys, Hales fell in the love with the game and continued until she was not allowed. She was the first girl at the Greensborough Football Club to reach 50 games, a milestone that she is now reaching with Collingwood.
“It’s pretty special to be the first VFLW player to reach 50 games. I just feel privileged that I am able to run out and play footy with a group of girls, and that I am able to run out in such an established club like the Collingwood Football Club,” Hales said.
“It’s just insane how far it’s come; being able to play, not just with the boys is amazing."
Since her debut in 2018, Hales is proud of how women’s football has developed as a whole and at the Collingwood Football Club.
“It is amazing to look back on how things have transformed since the beginning of the program. The facilities have improved, we are now based at the AIA Centre and the entire program has changed” Hales sad.
“It’s built from what it used to be – it’s now become pretty big and there is so much support around it which is incredible,” Hales said.
Although there have been natural changes and developments from when she began, Hales’ love for her friends and teammates remains stronger than ever.
“Being with your best mates and getting to spend so much time with them is the best part. All my friends, the coaches and everyone at the club makes it my favourite part of my day,” Hales said.
Chloe McMillian considers Hales to be an extremely valued player at the club as she is a consistent player who players her role each week.
“Her teammates trust her, the coaching staff trust her and she is someone who provides energy to our group both on and off the field,” McMillian said.
“Not only is she a talented defender with the ability to read the ball well, she is a good person and a genuine teammate. She carers for everyone around her and makes the group better just by who she is; that’s why we love her."
Hales is playing the best football of her career and is not planning on stopping anytime soon.
“AFLW is the ultimate dream of mine I would love to push to get to that spot. I love playing VFLW footy; I am just out there to enjoy myself and play good footy with my team” Hales said.
Hales was part of the 2019 VFLW Premiership side, claiming it is the highlight of her football career so far.
“While nothing has ever topped that, there’s always room for more. I’m not going to hang on that forever, there’s going to be more to come," Hales said.
Congratulations to Nicole Hales for being the first women’s player to reach 50 games for the Collingwood Football Club.
Collingwood’s VFLW team will play their round five match against Port Melbourne tomorrow, Saturday 12 March 9:45am at Victoria Park.
