In celebration of International Women’s Day this week, we’ve asked a few of our past and present female players to share their experiences at the club and what it’s like being a female footballer.
As we reflect on their stories, we’re reminded of the invaluable contributions women make to our club, both on and off the field. Their dedication, passion, and hard work continue to inspire and shape the future of the game.
Stefani Trikilis
Q: Can you share with us your journey and how you became involved in football?
A: For me, football has always been a family affair. With all my older sisters playing and my dad being heavily involved in the club, it was inevitable that I would follow in their footsteps. This strong family connection to the sport not only shaped my love for the game but also instilled in me the values of camaraderie and dedication.
Q:As a woman in a leadership position, how do you inspire and support other women and girls that are in the sport?
A: As a senior player, I believe it’s essential to lead by example. By helping younger players during training and guiding them through the game, I hope to inspire them to be their best selves. I believe in fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. Showing the next generation that they can push through obstacles and thrive is a rewarding aspect of my role as a leader.
Q: What has been the most rewarding experience for you as a female at the club?
A: The sisterhood I’ve found within the club has been the most rewarding experience for me. These women have become like family, providing unwavering support and friendship throughout the years. Being able to share my passion for football with my two daughters, who now play alongside me, has made this journey even more fulfilling. Watching them grow within the same sisterhood that has meant so much to me is a true testament to the power of community in sports.
Deanna Kilmartin
Q: What does football mean to you personally?
A: Enjoyment! Thrills!
Q:How did football impact your life?
A: It gave me health benefits, great body, mental toughness against adversity. Pushed me passed boundaries that were self limiting. Gave me tactical, analytical skills. Self confidence and conviction in my own worth. All that gave me the confidence in work, social groups and, belief that I could coach and impart all that I had learnt.
Q: As someone who has been in a leadership position, how do you think we can continue to inspire and support women and girls to get involved in football?
A: Focus on Quality, Structure, Grading! Less of the ‘let’s have fun’ element. We measure ourselves by how hard we have to apply ourselves to work out self worth. People only want to be with an organisation that has standards and quality recognition. When you say you played in the ‘ Premier League’ you want people to say ‘ whoa’ you must be some player!
Q: Favourite memory from your time as a player and or volunteer at the club?
A: Highlights wad playing in the Australian Women’s Championships. Achievement..getting players to get pass their limiting beliefs!
Kristina Billias
Q: What does football mean to you?
A:Football is one of the greatest loves of my life. A place I always felt extremely confident and comfortable. It has given me life long friendships and family and some of the best moments of my life. My dad, sisters, kids and nieces and nephews have all been a part of Hellenic at some point including the present. My husband Ross and I met as Hellenic juniors. Hellenic has always been my family and I will continue to support them as my club for my entire life.
Q: How can we encourage more girls to pursue football?
A: Women’s sports need to be appreciated for what it is. Girls should be treated equally and supported in a place where they feel they belong and their participation matters.
Q: Most rewarding experience at the club?
A: Starting the first all-girls team in 2016, the Hellenic Angels, with my daughter and her closet friends. They’re still going strong 9 years later! As a player, playing a pivotal role in the many successes of the Hellenic women’s teams from the age of 13 to 32, I feel as though I am a part of the history of this beautiful club.
Q: How important are female voices in leadership roles?
A: It’s crucial to have female role models who can offer a female perspective and inspire young girls. It gives them hope and a sense of equality knowing they’re being represented. If young girls can see that the club has female representatives it gives them a sense of comfort and equality.It is so important to have female role models within the club, to provide perspective from a female point of view and opinions on behalf of females.
Leonora Billias
Q: How did you become involved with Hellenic and what did your journey look like?
A. I started playing soccer for Ludmilla Primary School. In the late 70s/early 80s, my brother-in-law Lenny began coaching a women’s team. My sister Deanna was playing, and they invited me and a friend to join. We played for Stuart Park, then later formed the first Hellenic Women’s Team in the mid-80s with Lenny as our coach. Deanna and I are proud to be part of the original team.
Q: What challenges did you face as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated environment & how did you overcome them?
A. Initially, I didn’t face many challenges, but over time I noticed judgment from outside the football community. Having five kids while playing was tough, and pregnancy meant breaks from the game. I had to get fit again from scratch each time. Despite our women’s teams’ success, we rarely got recognition simply because we were women.
Q: How can we encourage more girls and women to pursue football from a young age?
A. We missed an opportunity with the Matildas’ World Cup success. To encourage more girls, we need greater exposure and must raise the stakes. Improve competition, create pathways with trials, and have clubs develop girls’ teams to grow senior teams.
Q: What has been the most rewarding experience during your time as a player and/or volunteer at Hellenic?
A. Winning trophies like “Most Improved,” Best & Fairest, and Players Player was special. Watching my kids develop and play at the Premier League level, and coaching my daughters, was a proud moment. Volunteering as a committee member, coach, and fundraiser with my husband Steve was rewarding, too. We helped grow Hellenic Juniors and turned the Glenti festival stall into a fundraising success.
Kym Goldsmith
Q.Can you share with us your journey and how you became involved in football?
A.Back in 1996 (I think), one of the girls in our group had been playing soccer and invited us to join her at training for a new club. We headed down to the Casuarina Senior College oval, where Deanna Kilmartin was the coach. While we lost pretty much every game, we absolutely loved it and that kicked off my journey.
Q. As a woman in a leadership position, how do you inspire and support other women and girls that are in the sport?
A.I’m not sure if “inspire” is the right word, but we do our best to support our players by playing fairly, encouraging them to keep their heads up after a loss, and motivating them to keep trying.
Q.What has been the most rewarding experience for you as a female at the club?
A.The most rewarding experience has been playing alongside the most incredible people. They become like family, and the relationships you build off the field become just as important as those on the field.
Q.What do you see for the future of women’s football, and where would you like to see the sport go in the next few years?
A. As for the future of women’s football, I’m not entirely sure. I do hope there’ll be more opportunities for talented players to shine. My biggest wish is that the next generation of players loves the game as much as I have—because, unfortunately, we can’t play forever.
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