Charlotte Ryan's journey following in Dad's footsteps 

13/06/2023

Charlotte Ryan has had a stand out start to her playing career, following in dad Peter Ryan's footsteps who played 120 games for the Sandringham Football Club from 1987 to 1993.

Charlotte came to the Southern Saints through the Coates Talent League in 2021 and was awarded Best Emerging Player for the Southern Saints in 2022. Charlotte has managed to play a vital role for the Southern Saints this year, playing in every game thus far. 

Playing at Sandringham was never on the Ryan family's mind for Charlotte, with the women's team only being introduced to the Club in 2019. 

"It's a full circle moment for the both of us. I never even saw footy as an option when I was younger; it was always representative basketball. Then all of a sudden, I'm playing a sport I love so much at a club that was significant to my dad, and my mum as that's where they met," Charlotte stated.

Charlotte also never saw herself playing AFL until 2017, when she played her first ever game as a fill-in and fell in love with it, "I played basketball since I was eight at Sabres, and that was my dream until about 2019 when I realised maybe footy was something I could go further in than basketball due to its sudden growth amongst women and with the AFLW starting up. Then from there, I just kept playing and ended up where I am today after going through the AFL system of Interleague, NextGen Academies, Sandy Dragons, Vic Metro and now my favourite place to play, with the Southern Saints". 

Peter also never expected to see his daughter play football,

"Charlotte had the fitness and mindset for footy, as it stemmed from basketball, but I was the one who taught her how to kick. We spent countless hours at the oval in Lorne over the summer with her and her brother Ben as we taught her the correct technique. It did take a while, but we got there and, to this day, still head down over the summers and kick the footy. Other than that, she's done the work and got to where she is today. I supported her and was excited when she told me she wanted to play. Her mum and I watch almost all her games each weekend," says Peter.

Despite learning from her dad, Charlotte was able to break out and become her own player, but Peter has noticed a few similarities between them, "I was a lot taller than her, but we both are able to run all day. One thing I really notice is that she uses the ball well and has composure, which is what I had too".

Peter has always supported the growth of women's football, particularly when he was President of the South Metro Junior Football League.

  "I see constant growth in women's footy, and for it to allow my own daughter to play and have a potential future is something any father would ask for. When I was playing, I couldn't imagine a girls club down at the Zebras, but to see it happen with Charlotte down there and loving it is truly amazing."

When asked what influence she thought her dad had on her, Charlotte says, "His football knowledge is something that helps me. He's taught me many things after games where I could have done something better. His support (and mum's) is something that means a lot. They rarely miss a game and always look out for me to do my best in footy and life". 

Peter explained how proud he was in seeing his daughter's football achievements in such a short period of time, being a part of such a great team at the Southern Saints and contributing to their successes.

We look forward to many more father-daughter stories at the Sandringham Football Club as women's football continues to grow. 

Written By Darcy Allen - Sandringham Football Club Media