Brittany Dudley-Smith: True Kiwi battler

by Jordan Lim & Sean Ellicott 0

If there’s one thing that we should be taking away from the 2015 WPL season, it’s that South Melbourne’s Brittany Dudley-Smith is one hell of a tough cookie.

You see, the path to footballing stardom for the immensely talented 21-year-old hasn’t been the easy ride her talent perhaps affords her.

Rather, her journey has been more reminiscent of the mountainous outlook of her native New Zealand; sharp, unexpected turns and ceaseless winding roads make up what appears from a distance to be a picturesque setting.

But one thing’s for certain, if she continues to follow said path, the football summit awaits, and daresay it couldn’t come sooner for a more deserving person.

Britt has faced a lifetime’s worth of setbacks and misfortunes in her short-lived career, but the hallmark of her true character is the way she’s come away from it all – a better footballer, and a better person.

To date, she’s battled an ACL injury, the axing of her contract with Melbourne Victory, the culling of her beloved club South Melbourne from the top-flight of Victorian football and most painfully, the untimely death of her father Mike.

The story that backdrops her success made South Melbourne’s Grand Final triumph all the more sweet, not only for Britt, but for those many believers following her journey throughout.

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Across the Tasman

Having crossed the ditch from hometown Auckland at the age of 18, Britt – the great, great, great granddaughter of Arsenal and Tottenham turn-of-the-century footballer Tommy Meade – arrived in Australia with high hopes and an open mind.

A talented touch rugby player in her youth, she made the decision to focus her attentions on football at an early age; a sport she’d only previously played “for the fun of it”.

As I got older I had to make a decision on whether I stay playing football or keep playing touch rugby,” Britt said.

“It was a difficult decision but still to this day I don’t regret choosing football.  I just remember my younger days and just playing for the fun of it and that it wasn’t as political as it is now.”

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It’s a decision that’s seen her travel the globe in her search for football superstardom; her CV boasted senior football at Eastern Suburbs AFC at the tender age of 15 and more importantly, a taste of U17 World Cup football with New Zealand in the 2010 edition held in Trinidad and Tobago. This fed fuel to the fire in her heart, as she began to take football more seriously, with an eye on travelling the world to chase her dream.

“The early moments of my soccer career were definitely special moments. Around that time of my life I had no pressure on [my soccer] until the day came to trial for the U-17 New Zealand team,” she said.

“The amount of determination I had to make this team and to get my name out there more – I just remember the final team cut came and I sat by the phone the whole day. I couldn’t leave the house just in case I missed the call, but once I heard the words ‘You made the team,’ I was just lost for words.

“That day I remember so clearly; my parents and I were in the kitchen and their faces when I told them were priceless we jumped up and down screaming.

“After travelling parts of the world for the World Cup it definitely gave me the travelling bug and wanting to play overseas.”

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She settled on Australia; the opportunity to begin with a fresh start in a foreign land presented itself nicely to Britt. But an ACL injury inflicted during the season prior in New Zealand halted her progress in the early stages of her time Down Under.  

“I came to Australia basically for a new start. After doing my ACL, I lost a lot of confidence and felt like I had change as a person,” she said.

“Also I wanted to get away and to see what Australia could offer me.”

The move seemed a blessing in disguise for the youngster as she found a new footballing home at O’Tooles Road, turning out for the Casey Comets in the 2012 WPL season.

Britt fast learned what it was that Australia could offer her, as she made a successful comeback from injury before putting in a number of strong showings in her debut spell for the Comets, scoring four times in 17 appearances as the Cranbourne-based club narrowly missed a finals berth. She spoke fondly about her spell at Casey, and the respect she had for head coach Ian Williamson, who pushed her all the way to recovering from that serious knee injury.

“My debut season for Casey was a scary one to start with as I hadn’t really played a game after coming back from an ACL,” she said.

“But the Casey girls and Ian [Williamson] were very supportive. I remember Ian giving me a step box and making me do 100-1000 step ups every day to strengthen my knee. I think towards the end of the season I started to find my form and got my confidence back, and I will never forget that.”

Her promising form led her to the national stage, where she went on to sign a provisional contract with the Melbourne Victory as one of their three international signings for the 2012-13 W-League season.

However, the appointment of Mike Mulvey saw that contract slashed just four days prior to the opening game of the season; axed in favour of the coach’s choice of internationals Danielle Johnson, Jessica McDonald, Petra Larrsson and guest player Jessica Fishlock.

Not to be left downtrodden by her culling on the eve of the W-League season, Britt took a step back and applied herself once more in the Victorian State Leagues, turning out for the Comets in 2013.

“That year missing out on the [Melbourne Victory] team did pull on the heartstrings a bit, but I don’t hold any grudges,” she said.

“That’s just life sometimes; you get knocked down but all you [can] do is get back up and try again. But it was a great experience being in that environment to get the feel of what it’s like and to be around great players.”

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She strung together a scintillating 22 games in her second season in the WPL system, grabbing an impressive 19 goals in a side that once again narrowly missed out on finals football. It was that stellar goal-scoring form that once more attracted high-profile interest, but much like her experience with Melbourne Victory, her next endeavour was also short lived.

Going to America

“Coming from America you have to look at it seriously and America’s got good soccer and it’s a huge step in life so I thought I’m going to take it,” said Britt in the weeks leading up to her move to America in early 2013.

“It’s a little bit daunting but I’m more excited than scared.”

The then 19-year-old was departing for the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) under a full-scholarship in early January, where she was set to balance duties studying a sports management degree and turning out for the Lady Racers in the United States college football program.

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Britt was first contacted by Ohio coach Stuart Gore in unusual circumstances after Casey’s Round 13 clash against Bulleen Lions – astonishingly over social media.

“I actually didn’t choose Ohio, it just came to me. It was after the Bulleen game a couple of days later on the Tuesday and that’s when I got Facebooked saying that this is the only way he can contact me and get a hold of me” she explained.

Footage of her along with scouts’ recommendations had somehow found its way to Ohio, but before anything was signed, her father and coach Ian Williamson first had to assess whether the situation was legitimate.

After confirming the opportunity was the real deal and talking to Gore, Britt signed a four-year contract, which would have seen her miss the first half of Casey’s 2014 campaign as well as any potential opportunity in the 2013-14 W-League season.

‘There’s life after football so obviously getting that degree is a big thing and soccer is just a bonus. When it comes to study then I’m studying and when it comes to soccer I’m giving it everything I got,” she said at the time.

While on paper, it seemed an opportunity of a lifetime, it never fully eventuated for the talented forward, who returned to Casey Comets mid-season after half a year in the college system. She did however hint that a return to America could potentially be on the cards in the near future.

“Playing in America was a highlight of my life. I recommend that if any female player gets an opportunity to study and play football, they should take it,” Britt said.

“It opens your eyes and does make you a better player, learning different types of playing styles and meeting new people. But sadly I had to come home earlier than I had hoped due to family reasons – family comes first.

“But we never know what might happen in the New Year, let’s just say I’m keeping my options open.”

Citizenship and her return to Australia

Britt marked her return to Australia and the Comets with a strong conclusion to the 2014 season, where she netted a return of seven goals in the handful of games she did play towards the back end of the season.

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Once more however, an opportunity in the W-League evaded the Kiwi, which in no small part is attributable to Australia’s relatively strict citizenship laws.

Without permanent residency, it’s been a tiresome waiting game for Britt with regards to becoming an Australian citizen.

“I feel that, both yes and no, my nationality has held me back. I have been considering getting my citizenship because I’m classed as being an international even though I’ve lived in Australia nearly four years now,” Britt explained.

“It’s very frustrating that my nationality does play a part in it. But there is a lot of amazing talent out there and to see the younger girls come through and watching them play makes it a lot harder each year.”

The international cap in the W-League – already once her downfall – proved to be the stumbling block yet again, as she failed to get a look in, even on a trial basis in the nation’s top-flight.

South Melbourne WFC

“Over the last four weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of sitting down with each girl where we’re doing goal setting. What I mean by that is I’m asking the girls what they want from football,” said South Melbourne boss Socrates Nicolaidis in the early stages of the 2015 WPL season.

“Certain players have certain lofty goals. We know she’s a Kiwi girl, she wants to play for her country or make the Melbourne Victory team. Now that I know where they want to be in the next 12 months, the coaching team at South Melbourne are committed to them achieving their goals. That’s what we’re looking for.”

Britt’s ambitions for the 2015 season were quite modest for the girl who’d only recently made the decision to end a three-year association with Casey, opting for a move to powerhouse club South Melbourne WFC. It was a club she believed with all due respect could give her “more opportunities” at a higher level, where the plan was simply to “score [one or two] goals a game and to be up the top for Golden Boot,” and to ”just have a great season with South Melbourne”.

“It’s definitely a step up, having Socs [Socrates Nicolaidis] as a new coach, it’s brought good vibes and new techniques which has helped us improve,” she said early into her spell with South Melbourne.

“It’s definitely [a good place to be]. First time stepping into South, they were very welcoming and I have huge respect for the girls. They’re not [ego driven], nothing like that. It’s all humble and we’re all there for each other. That’s what we’re all about.”

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South Melbourne 2015. Photo: Graeme Furlong

A sign of the changing times, her first true showing as a South player was the mature performance she put in against her former side in the early stages of the 2015 WPL season.

She was incisive with her finishing, smart with her runs and tireless in her off-the-ball movement, as she finished with four goals in a 7-1 rout at Comets Stadium.

“So basically as soon as I stepped out of the car [before the game] I was thinking ‘Ok, I’m playing for South this time not Casey’,” she joked after her first match against her former club.

“It’s a bit nerve-racking being back here, but I have so much respect for Casey. Coming down here it’s always going to be a tough game to play them, but all respect to them.

“I think whenever you score a goal, you want to jump around and do the aeroplane, jump for the sky but you just have to be humble, and show good sportsmanship.”

She was fast earning the respect of her teammates, who saw the raw talent she possessed and the desire to succeed that underpins her natural ability. The forward line partnership she formed with Tiffany Eliadis was one that clicked for the league’s third-highest scoring team of 2015.

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Tiffany Eliadis and Brittany Dudley-Smith wheel away in celebration. Photo: Peter Psarros

“It’s good, we tend to read each other very well. Compared to Laura [Spiranovic], Laura was a very static player, but it was good because she was strong on the ball,” Eliadis said of her strike partner.

“Britt is just a little bit more agile and with me we work well together, reading each other and talking, it’s great. I love working with her.”

She continued on with her remarkable form throughout the early stages of the competition, leading the WPL goal tally on 14 goals by Round 12, as the club sat third in the league.

They were also still competing on the Team App Cup front, however their run came to a halt in the Quarter-Finals at the hands of Bundoora United, just three days before Britt was scheduled to meet Casey in the league for the second time.

She didn’t get the second opportunity to play against her former teammates, having found out during that 3-0 Cup loss to Bundy that her father Mike – who wasn’t in attendance – had passed away from a heart attack that evening.

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Mike Smith. Photo Supplied
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It was an understandably tough period for her, at a time when things looked rosy in her footballing career. Her self confessed “biggest inspiration” had been expeditiously clawed away from the young woman who’d always put family first.

In a heart-wrenching show of solidarity, she told of the lengths the South Melbourne community went through to make that period easier on her, something she’ll forever be grateful to her “second family” for.

“Since dad passed away, the South girls really [have been] like a second family to me,” Britt said.

“They were all there at the funeral and everything like that, so it was fantastic to have their support. I wouldn’t be here today without them. There was times where I wanted to give up, but they kept forcing me to play.”

The support from the South Melbourne community was vital for Britt, who told of how everyone within its structure helped push her on to get back on her feet, and on the pitch.

“Like I said, there were times where I just wanted to give up, but [my dad will] always be there, I know that. He was such an inspirational and uplifting guy, so I felt like I had to keep going [for him].

“I think that was one of the best things; from coach to president to physio, we’ve all gelled together and stayed together. Even if something happens, none of us will part.”

Club President Gabrielle Giuliano spoke about how the tragic circumstances brought the team closer together.

“Certainly just being there for her and giving her the time to come back, but she is just an absolute champion of a person,” Giuliano said.

“It took her a week or two, but at the funeral, she said to me ‘I’ll be back playing next week’. The girls were always there supporting her and it was really crucial. That sort of stuff just drew the girls together, and they were empowered by it rather than using it as a negative.”

That togetherness showed in her return fixture a week later, which saw her face Sandringham SC at Lakeside Stadium in front of a healthy crowd.

Her moment came in the 21st minute of that fixture, as she rose the roof with a memorable goal on the way to a 3-1 victory.

With a skip in her step, she latched onto a Natalie Martineau ball down the right, taking the ball well in her stride and finishing low across the face of goals. A little run to the crowd and signal to the sky followed before her teammates mobbed her on the sidelines. Joyous scenes as fans of both clubs applauded in support of Britt and her family.

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While she didn’t maintain her blistering goal-scoring form of the first 12 rounds, Britt’s performance levels never dipped below standard; at her best, she was purely inspirational. She contributed more in other facets of her game, coming home strong to finish second in the WPL Media Player of the Year voting, just one vote shy of winner Amy Jackson.

South Melbourne ended their final season in the WPL in third place, just four points shy of top spot. After a four-year wait, Britt finally had the chance to play finals football in Australia, and that opportunity was in no small part down to her own performances.

She finished the regular season with 18 goals at almost a goal a game with a first round match-up against Ashburton United their prize. This was all done with an increasingly growing uncertainty of South Melbourne’s future in the top-flight hanging over their heads.

When the new National Premier League Women’s licences were revealed for 2016, there was one absentee that stood out amongst the rest. South Melbourne’s immediate future was now also cast into doubt as the licensing news was revealed on the eve of the WPL finals series, which manifested itself in a lacklustre performance as they lost their first finals match 3-2, sending them into an elimination final against Heidelberg United.

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Brittany Dudley-Smith scores against Heidelberg Photo: Graeme Furlong

Having had a week to process the news, they turned up with a much improved performance to shock Heidelberg United by grabbing a 2-1 win, which saw Britt net the opener. A 3-0 win against Ashburton saw them grab their revenge in the Semi-Final, and put themselves into a third straight WPL decider.

However, it was a first ever for Britt who went into the game against heavy favourites Boroondara Eagles with a little inspiration from above.

The Grand Final

South Melbourne celebrate Grand Final victory. Photo: Graeme Furlong
South Melbourne celebrate Grand Final victory. Photo: Graeme Furlong

“I put dad’s name on my boots, he’s definitely been my big inspiration,” said an elated Britt after having clinched her maiden title in football after a 5-4 penalty shootout win.

“It was awesome. I owe absolutely everything to the girls. They put in the hard effort and they fought until the end.

“Having penalties, it’s one of the hardest things to do, but we got them on target and I’m really proud of the girls. It’s just amazing, [that happening in] my first Grand Final. There was a few nerves, I aimed down the right corner but went right down the middle. As long as it went in, I was fine.”

For Britt and her teammates, there was a secret to South Melbourne’s shock WPL triumph at the Veneto Club. An indelible, left of centre team-talk from coach Socrates Nicolaidis paved the way for their inspired, backs-to-the-wall performance.

A black marker helped tap into the emotional reserves of the girls who’d run out over two hours straight of football, as Nicolaidis revealed he got each of the players to write the name of the person that was inspiring them on their arms before going out to battle.

“For [Britt], it’s been a challenge losing her father during the course of the year while she was playing,” Nicolaidis said after the Grand Final triumph.

“She had her father’s name [on her arm and boots] and his date of birth and when he passed away, and she just had it in her. She kept telling the girls, keep fighting until the end, and that’s what we did.”

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Britt’s Grand Final day boots. Photo Supplied

Close friend of Britt’s and South Melbourne captain Alex Cheal revealed that she also played in dedication of Mike, as she marshalled the troops for the full 120 minutes.

“I had a couple [of names on my arm], I was playing for Britt and Britt’s dad, because she’s one of my best friends,” Cheal said.

“This was her first final ever and one of [Mike’s] major goals was for her to make a Grand Final. It’s sad that he couldn’t be here today but we know he was here in spirit. So I was playing for her and I really wanted her to win that game.”

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Captain Alex Cheal celebrating after Grand Final win. Photo: Graeme Furlong
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South Melbourne hold the WPL trophy aloft. Photo: Graeme Furlong

For her, those small gestures were everything, as her South family did all they could to support her. The importance of those actions weren’t lost on Britt, who attributes plenty to her mentor of the past year.

“He just took the time to listen to us,” she said.

“When Soc [sat down with us] at the start of the season, straight away I knew he was going to be a great coach and that we would have a great season playing under him.

“Throughout the season he made sure he would help us in any way he could to either achieve, or to get us close to, achieving our goals – [something] which not a lot of coaches do.”

The Future

South Melbourne FC Brittany Dudley-Smith

“I was looked at by W-League clubs this season, but due to the passing of my dad a few months ago, I felt that I wasn’t in the right head space and my football playing level did drop,” Britt says.

“[It was] just a bad time for me, but I will be looking to enjoy this time with family. W-League next season is [however] on my list of goals next season.”

With her future secured in Australia for another season – having signing on with South for their maiden voyage into State League 1 – the blindly-loyal Dudley-Smith has set herself the target of reaching the summit of Australian football, a big show of faith in the country that’s yet to give back as much as it’s taken from Britt.

She however says the move to Australia was the “one of the best decisions” she’s made, with one eye firmly on obtaining citizenship from the place she’s called home for the last four years.

“It’s given me a second chance, a breath of fresh air, and I’ve met amazing friends and coaches along the way,” she says.

“But I also think Melbourne has more to offer for me so I am looking forward to see what lies ahead.

“I’ll still be playing soccer for sure, you never know what might happen with Victory and City. We’ll see what happens. If a door opens, I’m not going to close it. I’ll be walking through it.”

So while many of those out-of-the-blue, life-changing moments for Britt have been of tragic circumstance, such as the passing of her father, it’s only a matter of time before she get’s her lucky break, something life-changing for the better.

Because lord knows she deserves it.