Striding onto the pitch

By Nicole Christodoulou

Playing soccer has always been in my blood. I remember as a little girl soaking in the ‘beautiful game’ watching Ronaldinho on the pitch. I knew that this would be my life.

I put many hours of practice as a girl, then a teen and as a young woman. The endless hours of practice inching me closer to my dream of being a Matilda and putting on the green and gold.

I just knew that playing for Australia was in my future, I could literally taste it.

Then, I had two strokes. I was only 21.

I was in hospital for about 2 and a half months, and the strokes left me paralysed on my left side. I couldn’t walk, feed myself or even brush my hair. I couldn’t do the basic things to look after myself. It was a huge shock, and I had a lot of doubts in my head about what the future would hold for me.

But my family rallied around me, they were so happy that I was still alive and that’s when it hit me. I am alive and living for me means getting back onto the soccer pitch – even if it’s just to play with friends.

So, when the physio asked me what my goals were, I said to play soccer. But I was already thinking, well, if I can get back to playing, who’s to say that I can’t find a way to play competitively.

I worked my bum off, every day I did the exercises over and over and over. I probably did them thousands of times. There were many steps forward only to then go backwards again, but I persisted.

I started to play and after a lot of practice, it got a little better. So, I joined a Cerebral Palsy (CP) team. I remember in the first game I ran a few strides, and my leg would get very heavy, I would have to stop. I wasn’t agile or coordinated, which was challenging both mentally and physically. Getting your head around having a body which doesn't work like it used to is tough.

At this time, I also went back to university to do a teaching degree. Juggling Uni and playing soccer was hugely fatiguing, but soccer is like medicine for my mental health, so I learned to be very strict with my energy.

Four years after playing with the all-ability (CP) soccer team I became a ParaMatilda - and a teacher.

Why am I sharing my story?

I am a proud Stride4Stroke Ambassador for the Stroke Foundation. Soccer helped me to get my body moving again and taking strides on the soccer pitch helped me to get my life back. If I can inspire just one person to sign up and get moving this November, I will be grateful.