Mandurah local Pauline Gibb has been playing AFL since 1988.
Now WA’S oldest registered female playing full-contact AFL, Ms Gibb is headed to NSW to represent the State and show other women her age that there is no expiration date on doing what you love.
Camera IconPauline Gibb. Credit: Ava Berryman
Ms Gibb said she started playing AFL in a time when women were not part of the narrative.
“I always wanted to play, but of course I grew up in the days where it didn’t happen,” she said.
“Your only option was to kick the footy around with your brothers; that was it.”
In 1988, Ms Gibb drove past a local oval and saw women training for the first time, and from there started playing for the first WA women’s football league.
Now 70 years old, Ms Gibb said if she were to die on the footy field, she would be happy to be there.
“As soon as we lay down and stop, that’s when life comes grinding to a halt. I’m not ready for that,” she said.
“I don’t act 70, I don’t feel 70. I’m out there for the girls who don’t think they can.”
Ms Gibb said there are rules in place to protect older players, such as wearing a vest so opponents know not to tackle her, but she does not care to play that way.
“I’m in for the full-on contact,” she said.
“If I get knocked over and hurt, that’s my decision. I’ll give it my 100 per cent while I can still put my feet on the ground and run almost as fast as some of the other girls. I may not run like a gazelle anymore, but I can still run. I’ll keep going until I can’t.”
Camera IconPauline Gibb playing for the women’s AFL Masters WA. Credit: Supplied
The National AFL Carnival in Newcastle from September 27 to October 3 will be Ms Gibbs’ 10th. She said she was looking forward to the camaraderie and fun she shares with her teammates each year at the event.
She also hopes to back the win they took home at last year’s games in Darwin, and thinks they have a “pretty good chance”.
Ms Gibb said seeing today’s young girls have the opportunity to get into AFL has been incredible to see.
“It just warms my heart,” she said.
“To have been a part of that history of women’s football is a gift. I’m so happy for the girls that now have a chance to play something that we weren’t allowed to play for so long.
“We never know how much we can achieve until we put ourselves out there. If you want to do it, give it your best. Push harder, run faster, climb higher, and don’t think you’re ever too old because you’re not.”
Ms Gibb has also written six books.