WAFL: Lions’ success built on efforts from support staff

For the success of any football club, its support staff are paramount, but at times fly under the radar of team success.

Ahead of Ladies Day, Subiacofc.com.au spoke with some of the women behind the men’s team, to share their experiences.

Head physio Phoebe Adams is in her second season with the Lions after coming over from New South Wales.

She said there’s a great community within the club.

“Everyone is really great and really welcoming,” Adams said.

“It's a great culture and everyone gets on really well so it's been easy to integrate into the role.”

For footballers, going through the state leagues across Australia can be a means of getting to the highest level.

The same goes for support staff, and Adams who has aspirations to do her work on a global scale.

“For a period of time I wanted to work in the AFL or AFLW,” she said.

“Now, hopefully I get to work at the Olympics, and start a family soon.”

Head trainer Maddi Oudman has been across all the grades in her seven years at the club, from Colts all the way to seniors.

She said the growth players have made has been memorable.

“I spent two years down at Colts in 2019 and 2020,” Oudman said.

“To move up to seniors the same time as some of those boys did and to now see them playing League along the way is definitely a highlight.”

Oudman, an accomplished cheerleader for Australia, is studying to be a paramedic.

She said her time at Subiaco helps with her experience.

“Every day is different,” Oudman said.

“We’re looking at injuries and the medical side, you never know what you’re going to get on game day.

“It’s good in the sense of variety and the unknown, it’s definitely taught me a lot about improvisation.”

Trainer Sarah Thompson has been at the club for four years.

She started as a student, and saw the opportunity to come to the club on placement. 

For her, it was a no brainer.

“I was doing my sports science undergrad,” Thompson said.

“I’m from the country, so footy is a big part of my life.”

Thompson recognises the Colts 2020 premiership, the League’s 2021 flag, and the Reserves’ triumph in 2022 as her highlights since she’s been at the club.

When she’s not at the club, she’s completing her Masters of research in sport science, and is a research assistant with the Raine Study, a research project spanning different generations.

In the future, she hopes to lecture at a University, and be involved in research down the line.