Female Football Week - Kim Miles
She's part of the furniture down at The Kennel and an integral part of the running of Capalaba Bulldogs FC. In 2016 Kim was joint award winner for the Volunteer of the Year at the Football Brisbane Gala Awards in recognition of the valuable role she plays at the club and with the game. FB Media caught up with Kim recently and posed a few questions to her about her involvement in football with the Bulldogs. What is your current role with Capalaba? Currently I am the secretary at Capalaba and the Senior Chairperson – I also look after the merchandise (for now)…. I have been told I am “the go to person” when anyone has a query. How long have you been involved in football? I met my husband in the UK when I was 16, so that long ago. This is my 16th year at Capalaba FC Have you played the game? I have done 2 training sessions – does that count? I was joining Legends in 2015 but due to club commitments it just didn’t happen. How did you get involved with the game? My involvement in the game was watching my then boyfriend play and I guess he brainwashed me. We arrived in Australia from the UK in 1986 and Robert ended up playing with Redlands United.
When our son came along it was only natural that he would play – I think Kelvin had a ball at his feet before he could walk. What do you like most about the game? I like how it brings people together in an extended family. I’ve met some great friends through football and I hope that continues. Who are your favourite team(s)? Well it has to be the Capalaba Bulldogs teams – from our Kick-off kids to our Over 35s. Professionally Robert brainwashed me to be a Man Utd supporter. What's the one thing you would change in the game if you could? I’d like to change people’s perception of what a club is – it belongs to them so they need to look after it and get involved more. Not enough people these days are prepared to get “involved” – they just expect things to happen.
I do what I do because I enjoy it, I think others would too if they just tried it! How important is it being a volunteer at a club? To the club it is vital – without people like me, 800 kids wouldn’t be about to run around chasing a ball!. Its also important to me as it is something I started and something I want to keep doing for as long as I enjoy it. What was your reaction to being awarded joint Volunteer of the Year in 2016? I was shocked. It was something that hadn’t entered my mind. I can truly say I do what I do without expectation – to have expectation is to be doing it for the wrong reason. When I heard the introduction of who had won the award it took a moment or two for the penny to drop! The same thing happened at our 2015 Senior Presentation night when I was awarded Clubman of the Year…. I ordered the trophies so I knew my name wasn’t supposed to be on the plaque! Two of the best surprises in my time at Capalaba FC. How much time per week is involved with your role? This time of the year and with pre-season I would have to say around 40 hours per week not including weekend games. Once things settle down I spend around 25 hours per week across all my roles at the club. How would you rate the state of the game in Australia today? It’s good to see it growing and getting more publicity – for the right reasons. What's your thoughts on the women's game? It is growing steadily at an elite level and that helps us at grassroots level.
Capalaba FC are so fortunate to have Rob Gibson and Shaun McAney dedicated to growing our womens football programme at Capalaba.
I have seen our numbers grow steadily each year thanks to their tireless efforts. We treat our female players with respect and ensure that they are given every opportunity that the males are.
