WA Football Commission
Nichols recognised as joint Leading Goal ScorerFriday, August 26, 2016 - 3:20 PM
It is with great pleasure, the WAWFL would like to acknowledge that Julie Nichols has also been recognized as a joint Leading Goal Scorer for the 2016 Reserves competition, tying with Joondalup Falcons player Tyhara Garlett.
Unfortunately, Julie’s award was not celebrated at the 2016 Medal Presentation night, as not all of Julie’s goals were registered during the home-and-away season. It was quickly acknowledged, and the League celebrates Julie’s fantastic achievement.
After an impressive 14-year career with the WAWFL, Julie has had a celebrated career, winning a premiership with the Sharks in 2009 and winning the Reserves Leading Goal Scorer outright in 2012.
2016 has been another successful season for the forward, as her Reserves team made their way to the preliminary final, but were denied a grand finals berth by just 1-point.
Julie also celebrated her 100th game this season, was captain of the team, and was recognized as one of the best forwards in the Reserves competition. But for Julie, winning the goal scorer award isn’t about self recognition, it’s a much bigger accolade to recognize her team mates too.
“The leading goal-kicker award for the Reserves competition means a lot to me, but maybe not for reasons that people may think.”
“ I see it as an indicator of me being able to play my role after my team mates have worked incredibly hard to get us in a position to score. Footy is a team game and the acts of self-less play, hard work and sacrifice around the ground that everyone needs to commit to are crucial to team success.” Julie said.
“It’s the number one thing that drives us, and if I can be one part of that club and team-first attitude at training and on game day, then I’ve done ok. I hope the Reserves girls know that this award is theirs as much as it is mine because I certainly wouldn’t have won it without them.”
Julie said coming to terms with not putting on a jumper next year has been hard to grasp but insists her retirement will still in fact involve football.
“I hope that Jules’s Kicking School, to help develop player’s skills, will make an appearance next year!”
“I’ve also become involved in a bit of special comments commentary for the women’s games the last couple of years, and it’s something I’ve enjoyed, so there may be some opportunities come from that in the future" she said.
“The East Fremantle Women’s Football Club has been such a special part of my life for the past 14 years and I consider the girls my family. I can’t thank everyone enough for their continued support over the years and hope the passion and pride I’ve felt in wearing the jumper and representing this incredible club has shone through every time I’ve stepped on the field,” Nichols said.
The WAWFL would like to take the time to congratulate Julie, who will also receive a special presentation of her award on-field at the close of the Reserves Grand Final at Medibank Stadium this weekend.
