West Adelaide captain Lucy Adamopoulos is a player with an incredible story, one that involves bouncing back from career-threatening and life-threatening injuries. With her side competing strongly at the top of the SA NPLW again, she spoke to Ben Gilby.
Lucy Adamopoulos started off playing football with boys who got rather fed up with her scoring so many goals and taking their place in the team.
“I started my football career playing school soccer back when I was really young, around seven years old. Back then, I attended all of my older brother’s football games decked out head to toe in my football gear hoping they would let me play, but they said I was too young and would get hurt. One day my brother’s team was short of players so it was either they forfeit or allow me to play. This time I was lucky enough to get a run – we ended up winning 2-1 and I scored both goals for my team, with an assist from my brother; it’s a moment I will never forget.
“My first official team was with the U9’s Boys at Adelaide Olympic where I played up until I was 13 years old. A girl playing football was a rarity back then, let alone a girl playing in the boys’ league. Alex Alexandrou, the president at the time had many complaints from parents saying how unfair it was for their son and I was ‘taking their spot’. As a result, a new rule was created that girls couldn’t play in the boys’ league once they turned 14, so off I went to Adelaide Olympic girls. I spent the next eight years or so with Adelaide Olympic, playing U17’s, reserves and premier league.”
Some highlights from Lucy’s early playing days were:
- winning the most improved player award at an Ian Rush development program run by Ian himself.
- representing school at SAPSASA soccer three years in a row (year 5,6,7)
- representing SA at state level three years in a row (U13’s), (U15’s), (U17’s)
- being involved in squads like Young Sensations and SASI (South Australia Sports Institute)
- winning golden boot for the reserves with 45 goals
- winning the premier league with Adelaide Olympic girls
Lucy went on to describe the next stage of her career. “Adelaide Olympic women folded as a club during the year we won the league, from there I played a season at Adelaide University, however, my season was cut short as I was involved in a heavy car accident that had me out for multiple weeks.
“I joined the club when it re-opened as West Adelaide Hellas Women in 2013 and were now affiliated with the West Adelaide S.C. (mens). From there, the next three years were eventful leading up to my selection with Adelaide United.
“My entire football career has been heavily interrupted by injuries, some minor, most major, and some rare, traumatic injuries in-between. Some have been while playing sport, however, most of the significant ones have been off the field.
“I experienced a traumatic injury in March 2014 that left me in a coma for two days and lucky to still be alive. During this period the rehab was extensive and my sights for football weren’t very promising, however, my body made a full recovery and I was back on the pitch playing by August – we won 4-3 in my return game and I scored all four goals, it was truly a magical moment.”
“Some say I am so unlucky, but I consider myself lucky that I have been able to experience such unique challenges, that have helped me to shift perspective and see the good and learning from every circumstance. I have been gifted with the ability to see the positive in every situation, this has helped me to progress through tough times and has molded me into the person I am today – I hope to be an example for those out there that find themselves in tough situations that are out of their control. I always would start by focussing on the small areas that I could control – this seemed to help.
“Sometimes I don’t know whether I am just extremely resilient to keep pushing through all the injuries and setbacks to continue to keep playing, or if I am just outright mad because there have been so many injuries. Anyone that knows me, and knows my story understands how much I have been through – it has been an epic journey and as I look back, I find it hard to believe that I am still playing, and as passionate as ever, even after all these years. It might be the competitiveness in me or just the love for the game but something always pulls me back. I cherish every minute I can step on the field, and lead my girls and be free to play the sport I truly love!
“Moving forward to 2016 we had a solid season at West Adelaide, I played half of the season and took holidays in Europe for six weeks – much to my delight I was welcomed home with the news that I had been invited to trial for Adelaide United. This was a childhood dream and an opportunity I thought would never come.
“Feeling rather underprepared and unfit from being on a Euro trip for the past six weeks, I focussed on training as much as I could before the trials. This was much to my detriment – during my Adelaide United trials, I was so ‘overworked’ that my legs went numb in the internal games and I had to force myself to stop playing to avoid extensive damage. Somehow the coaches saw something in me which they liked and I was chosen for the Adelaide United squad! This was, and is, by far my greatest sporting achievement to date, a dream turned reality.
“Unfortunately the first training session after being selected, I was told to go to the doctors to get a scan on my leg – a stress fracture of the shin was found, leaving me in a moon boot for six weeks minimum. That week was an emotional roller coaster, but I pushed through and was disciplined with my rehab, and managed to get my debut that season. I played two W-League games before the season ended. The season did not play out as I hoped however it was all worth it for the experience, which I am grateful for and will cherish for a lifetime to come.
“Post Adelaide United, I went and played for South Melbourne in 2017 where we won the championship that year. I had the privilege of playing alongside some football guns like Lisa De Vanna and Melina Ayres. I moved to Alamein F.C in 2018 and finished a season with them, although most games were interrupted by niggling injuries. Again I got to play with the likes of Emma Checker and co.”
“I took 2018 off football and cross-coded to play AFL, where I broke my leg in a double compound fracture during a game which left me with metal rods and screws in my leg, and on the sidelines for a year.
“The following year saw me move back to Adelaide and focus on rehab and recovery – since then I have played for West Adelaide. For this season, I was announced to be captain of our NPL team which was an honour to accept. We have been dynamite this season, so far, and we have the title in our sights and are 100% aiming to grasp the trophy at the end of this season.”
Lucy has been part of the West Adelaide club for a long time now and this is an immense source of pride. “The Greek culture and affiliation is a huge differentiator compared to many clubs out there. We wear the Greek flag on our heart and our heart on our sleeve. The club is welcoming, passionate, and authentic to its core. This is demonstrated in the Hellas community and is represented in the passion and determination in our playing technique. Above all, the club has personally treated me with love and respect which makes me feel part of the family. I couldn’t imagine playing for another club here in South Australia, I love the West Adelaide Club.”
Lucy describes herself as “a very vocal centre back. It won’t take long to find me on the pitch! I like to talk when I play and enjoy giving direction and encouragement to the girls, whenever I can.
“I play a very traditional style, similar to how men play, which I learned growing up in the boys league, consisting of simple passes, one, two touch, and lots of talk and support off the ball. I use my body to my advantage to protect the ball which generally allows me more time on the ball. I have great vision which helps me to position myself in areas that allow me to read the game and remain composed while under pressure. I am also rather fast for an oldie!”
“Personally I want to play as many games and remain as injury-free as possible, and perform at a high level, consistently. I want to be a great leader for the girls. I want to be an example and a role model they can look up to, I want to have fun with the girls because that is what it’s all about. It’s really important for me to be there for them when they need support.”
With those qualities, I wondered if Lucy still harboured dreams of a W-League return. “I loved my time at Adelaide United. I thrive in a professional environment and love to take every opportunity to receive constructive criticism and improve as a player. I would love to be invited back out for another season as there is definitely some unfinished business there. If Adrian Stenta is reading this, feel free to reach out! I am monitoring my body very closely these days and I feel the strongest I have felt for a while, which I am stoked about.”
As Lucy has spent a long time playing NPL football, she is perfectly placed to assess the development of the league in South Australia.
“After returning from Melbourne where the quality and standard is very high, I have seen improvements in the league standard here in SA. The development programs (NTC) that SA have prioritised are proving to be successful. Young players are being developed and immensely improving each and every season – you can see the progression through their playing styles and their game-day results – I couldn’t advocate for this type of development program more, it is imperative to ensure we continue to lift our standard as a state.”
“Additionally, we have more girls returning to the WNPL with experience up their belt, whether it be playing overseas, playing at a W-League level or playing interstate, we can see these experiences are being shared at local club level which is raising the expectations of the club and the standard of the individual teams. This can cause a large divide between the top four teams and the rest, having multiple experienced players in one team can result in game day thrashings which can depreciate the quality of the league. However, new rules have been added to attempt to avoid this happening in the future.”
West Adelaide have been playing some outstanding football this season. As the campaign enters its final month, Lucy looked back at how things have gone so far.
“This season has been refreshing to say the least! We have great depth in our squad, we have young players with positive attitudes, who are eager to learn more. We have a world of knowledge and experience with more than 12 girls having played football for more than 10 years. We have 10 players (WNPL only) that have been playing with West Adelaide WNPL for more than three consecutive years. I believe this is what drives unity, understanding, and trust. We also have a great coach in Tracy Jenkins that understands how to coach females and has been coaching and playing the game for over 40 years.
“Tracy is highly regarded and respected, which makes a huge difference in the way we as a team hold ourselves. Our playing style is nothing but class and when we are on, I guarantee no team could beat us.
“Personally, I really enjoy watching the girls dominate. Our number one message for when we play is to have fun. And if you aren’t having fun then you need to change something, either mindset, physically how you are playing or the pressure you are putting on yourself. The smile on the girls’ faces is what keeps me going. I am super happy with where I am at, my fitness, strength, and perspective of the game, and what is expected of me. I have adopted the ‘play smarter not harder’ analogy, and need to remember I am not a teenager anymore and the body cannot perform like it used to.”
West’s tussles with Salisbury Inter have been fascinating this season. I asked Lucy how she assesses them and the other sides pushing for finals football – Adelaide City, the NTC, and Metro United.
“All teams you have mentioned above have some quality players, that have the ability to win games for their teams. However, I believe tactically our team plays the best style of football. The way we play leaves teams tired and lost. We are so versatile in our creativity and attacking options that teams can’t predict what we are trying to do. Our defence is solid and has a huge role to play in our attacking structures as well. Overall we are a well-rounded team and although other teams will challenge us during the season I know we have the relentlessness, experience, and wisdom to pursue and be successful.”
