Defender Zoe Haractsis is buzzing like never before for the new season of the NPLW after a mind-blowing first round game, whereby South Melbourne’s women’s team obliterated Bulleen 7-1.
The 21-year-old psychology student joined the team in 2017 and has been making great strides ever since and keeping on top of the ball even when the game was shut down during COVID.
“You couldn’t go out and see the girls and be surrounded by good energy, it’s definitely mentally taxing. Trying to stay fit and doing the running programs the club was sending us and it was quite hard but as soon as we got back out there it was a quick switch and I was back to normal,” Haractsis told Neos Kosmos.
Whilst the young footballer has had a great run with coaches across her career, the best piece of advice she has been given by any of them was “to never stop believing in yourself”.
“I think that is something that will always stay with me. I think you always have your ups and downs in games and training, where you may be starting 11 or you may be dropped, but you never stop believing in yourself. I think that will always be your internal motivation. Life is your oyster, keep working hard and things will come your way,” she said.
Haractsis talks being an uplifting teammate, overcoming a challenging injury and being a part of a winning team.
READ MORE: Returning more determined than ever: Q&A with South Melbourne’s Matthew Loutrakis
What drew you to football?
I think it was a lot of influence from my dad, he was playing at the time, as well as my uncle and cousin who were refereeing. I was surround by football by the age of five and dad chucked me into a team and I think he knew from then on out that that was the sport I was going to play for a very long time.
I love the game and have loved it since the age of five.
It’s game day, what do you do to get in the zone before the match?
I definitely try to wake up a bit earlier and get myself into the mindset. I have a good breakfast and I usually put my headphones in and get into my own zone and play my pump up music and stay to myself.
Top 3 training songs?
I don’t know about songs but the artists I usually go to are Drake, probably some Beyoncé and a bit of Nicki Minaj, something to pump me up.
What do you find most challenging about the game?
I think dealing with injuries has been a struggle. In 2019 I had a stress fracture in my foot towards the end of the season. I as in a moon boot for I think about 10 weeks.
Everyone just wants to be out on the pitch just playing so when you’re limited to that and you can’t train that’s really mentally draining.
Mentally dealing with that was quite difficult as well as just picking yourself up at training or a game where you stuff up or make a miss pass. You just have to do your role for the team and mentally dealing with that.
What has been a highlight in your sporting career thus far?
I think in 2018 when I was with South’s under 19s, we won the title and the premiership so that was just an awesome win. That was just a great season for us the girls were just amazing and we had such a good energy in that team.
How has football impacted your life?
I think it’s really taught me to be disciplined and how to balance life in general. Being a full time student, working, as well as having soccer four times a week. It’s definitely taught me what I need to prioritise and how to be more mature in making decisions.
It’s hard to say no to friends when going out but in that aspect of being disciplined it’s definitely taught me some life lessons.
What is something you learned about yourself through playing the game?
I think it goes back to that determination and I think I’ve learnt a lot about passion and how passionate I can be about things I care about. The game is such a big priority to me so definitely working hard and how hard I can push myself if I want something.
What do you hope to achieve in the next year?
For us girls to continue our winning streak and hopefully come out with some silverware, that would be amazing and just to have an amazing season. I think with the year we had out from COVID, that was just a struggle for everyone. Getting back out there and enjoying the game and having fun.
Favourite way to unwind after a game?
I don’t live close to South Melbourne so it’s a bit of a drive back home so I think just playing my more relaxed, calm music and just mentally calming myself down after all the adrenalin from the game.
Usually later in the night I’d probably go see friends or spend time with family and have dinner together.
What are you most looking forward to in 2021?
Just getting back to routine and enjoying the game. That routine aspect of training and not having any interruptions from COVID.
What is something you want to be remembered by?
My ability to work hard and the passion I have for the game, that’s never going to fade way. Being known as disciplined, hard working and hopefully a positive person to be around, always lifting up the girls when they need it.
What do you think is the biggest misconception of women in sport?
That we’re not as capable as men to perform. I think our abilities are undermined and how good we are at sport to be honest. I think our women’s team this year is phenomenal and one of the best teams we’ve had in the past few years.
This bunch of girls is really hard working and it’s do or die with us. I think there are a lot of good things to come out of the women’s game and it needs the support from the supporters, who have been amazing so far in round one. But it’s that support and encouragement and just getting around the girls and lifting up our spirits, knowing that we can do it.