LIFE in the top end is just about perfect for Rochester’s Sarah Ingram right now.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
What started as an opportunity to improve her football skills has turned into a life changing experience.
Ingram and her Pint Football Club teammates are undefeated to start the Northern Territory Football League Women’s Premier League season.
And she has settled into life with her roommates after completing two weeks of quarantine.
“It has been great so far and I’m having a lot of fun,” Ingram said.
“The NT is COVID-19 free, so there is a bit more freedom up here. But I’m thinking of everyone in Victoria because it hasn’t been easy, especially the past couple of months.
“The weather here is beautiful and I’m really enjoying my footy at the moment.”
Despite only arriving in the NT just weeks ago, Ingram arrived with a reputation as a talented player to watch throughout the season.
It was a reputation that had her earn selection in AFLNT’s All-Star Show on September 25.
The game featured some of the Territory’s hottest prospects who were vying a place on AFLW lists and the best fly-ins who had already arrived.
“The game was great to be involved in and the pace was unlike anything I’ve experienced,” Ingram said.
“I had been training for about four weeks before it, but it was still a challenge to play at match intensity.
“The training sessions gave us time to gel, but it was still a challenge when some of my teammates only came to Darwin a few days before the game.
“I was a little nervous before the game because I knew it was being streamed on YouTube and my family was watching back at home.
‘But I knew I just had to go out there and give it my best shot.”
One of the toughest challenges for people coming from a cooler weather state including Victoria is trying to adapt to the tough conditions.
Many of the games are played in the middle of the afternoon when it is hot and humid.
While night matches typically have the ball become slippery quickly.
“The conditions are something I am slowly getting used,” she said.
“They are very different from what I’m used to. Usually I’m playing in the middle of winter when it can be freezing cold.
“I’ve started to develop a bit more of a routine by having a proper meal and making sure I’m drinking plenty of water and hydrolyte.
“The team have been awesome in helping me adjust because they knew it was going to take me a little bit of time.”
Pint coach Rick Nolan has primarily elected to use Ingram as a starting midfielder who has the ability to go forward and make an impact on the scoreboard.
And the Rochy product is grateful to have the opportunity to learn from him.
“Rick’s knowledge of the game is amazing,” she said.
“I’ve already learnt a lot in a short period of time and I’m looking forward to what’s to come.
“I played a similar role for my club in Bendigo, so it’s nice to continue my development there, but I’m happy to play anywhere on the ground as long as I’m playing footy.
“To start the season I probably wasn’t as fit as I would have liked to have been, but I’m slowly getting back to full fitness.”
Maintaining fitness during her 14-day isolation period was one of the early challenges which Ingram faced when she arrived in NT.
But given the Top End’s less strict restrictions she was able to still do some work.
“I was doing workouts everyday with some of the people I met,” she said.
“Sometimes we were putting rocks into bags and using those as weights. We also had a running track around our section of the quarantine hub.
“Having those people there with me certainly helped to pass the time.
“I’ve been doing uni online as well, so I’ve had plenty to keep me occupied.”
When she’s not focused on footy, Ingram has been working at Edge Health Club as a membership consultant.
“I’m very grateful the club was able to find me some work before I came up here,” she said.
“I completed by Certificate III in fitness when I was in high school and I’m studying osteo at uni.
“My role involves helping sign people up and designing some programs for beginners.
“I love helping people, so this role suits me perfectly.”
More sport news
Senior football training able to resume