IN THE early stages of her football career Rochester’s Sarah Ingram has already experienced what some could only dream of.
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Already, Ingram has a senior premiership to her name – winning the Central Victorian Football League Women’s competition with Golden Square – and a VFLW opportunity with North Melbourne.
But her next step is arguably the most exciting.
Last week, the 19-year-old travelled to the Northern Territory as she prepares for a season in the top end with the Pint Football Club.
“I’m really excited to have the opportunity to play footy in another state,” she said.
“Considering I’m still very new to footy (Ingram has only played for a couple of seasons) I think I’m lucky to have this chance.
“I’ve heard some great things about the club so I’m looking forward to seeing what it is all about.”
Ingram’s development as a player will be overseen by Rick Nolan who was appointed the Women’s Premier League coach earlier this year.
Nolan returns to Pint – where he was a two-time premiership ruckman – after leading the famous St Mary’s to three premierships in the men’s competition.
“Rick has a great knowledge of the game so I’ll be trying to learn as much from him as I can,” Ingram said.
“He’s played a big part in getting me to the club because he knew my coach from Golden Square.
“I’ll be living in Howard Springs, which is an old mining space, and Rick has helped to organise some accommodation and work for me.
“I’m really grateful for what he’s done for me considering I haven’t even met him in person.”
The opportunity to travel north has provided Ingram something of a silver lining after the VFLW season was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Throughout the summer months, the teenager trained with North Melbourne in the hope of earning a place in the state league squad.
“It was the highest level of footy I have been part of,” Ingram explained.
“We played two practice matches and I think the coaches were pretty close to selecting their final squad.
“At the time, I think there were about 40 girls left. It’s a shame the season was called off, but it was the safest decision.
“The entire summer was an unreal experience.”
Moving away from home won’t be anything different for Ingram who spent 2019 in Melbourne at university.
Given the current restrictions surrounding university she will be able to continue remote learning while in the NT.
“I’m studying to be an osteo,” she said.
“I’ll have a lot of time over the next two weeks to get on top of everything because I’m in quarantine for 14 days.
“I am a little nervous to be moving to a different state but it’s a lot easier knowing I do have some family living close by.
“One of my teammates from Golden Square plays for one of the other sides in the competition as well so I am looking forward to catching up with her.”
The Women’s Premier League is currently scheduled to get under way in early October giving Ingram plenty of time to settle in.
But no matter how close the season does get she won’t be putting any pressure on herself to perform.
“I’m going up there with an open mind,” she said.
“I’ve had a look at some of the finals from last season and it looks like the competition is going to be fierce.
“I usually play as a forward but if I do get thrown around a bit by Rick I won’t mind.
“If I can play more positions on the ground it is only going to make me a better player.”
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