I am the only Sandgroper in my immediate family, as they came across to WA from Cooma NSW before I was born. My dad played Rugby Union with a local team before moving to WA, so I was raised following Union from a little-un, however I chose to keep this to myself whilst at school. Growing up in the North West of WA, if you followed any other sport other than AFL, you were regarded as a freak.
I was working in London in 2000 when I met fellow Union followers at the Outback Bar when the Wallabies were playing which re-ignited my passion.
I then met my now husband who follows London-Irish who play in the Guinness Premier League. He took me to a few of their games held at Reading & the combination of the fantastic atmosphere & the brilliant after-game celebrations at the bar in the stadium, whether they won or not, had me won over forever - OK, so the Guinness may have had a little bit of the influence.....
Coming back to Perth was quite overwhelming not having a team to follow in the then Super 12. When the announcement was made that WA was bidding for the Super 14 team, we went all out with support including signing petitions & going to Subi Oval for the support day (we were in the group that made the figure "1" for the "Perth Super 14" sign). When the announcement was made that WA had won I could hardly believe it but then immediately wanted to find out when we could sign up for membership!!!!
Anyhoo, we have been members ever since.
Really peeved that the new Stadium hoo-harr has remained as that - hoo-harr.
Feeling better that we are now moving & therefore can stick it up the AFL & stop funding their puerile & pathetic needs of feeling important. Their ongoing ridiculous behaviour regarding other sports is ignorant, pathetic & irrationally fearful.
