This episode traces an extraordinary journey through women’s football history, personal resilience and the quiet power of community. Scottie shares how a casual kick-around in Germany led her toward a national career in an era when women’s football barely had a place to stand. She talks about discovering the New Zealand team in the seventies, fundraising for international tournaments, training in church halls, wearing hand-me-downs from the men’s teams, and winning the inaugural 1975 Asian Cup long before the Football Ferns had any official recognition.

Scottie speaks honestly about the joy and the pain, the friendships that endured, the selectors who overlooked her, and the way injury reshaped her playing career. She also reflects on being honoured nearly fifty years later and the meaning of finally receiving her debut cap after a lifetime of waiting.

Beyond football, Scottie opens up about running half-marathons, stepping into kickboxing at forty-eight, and the deep friendships built through Muay Thai, teaching, and community. This is a conversation about courage, humility, sacrifice and the spaces that become our happy place. It is also a celebration of a woman who helped shape the foundations of the game in Aotearoa, long before the world was ready to see it.

Puma celebrates Australian and New Zealand women's football trailblazers from 1975 https://www.puma-catchup.com/sports/we-celebrate-australian-and-new-zealand-womens-football-trailblazers-from-1975/

Asian Cup, 1975 from New Zealand History https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/asian-cup-1975

First Football Ferns and 1975 Asian Cup winners are still fighting to tell their story https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/494786/first-football-ferns-and-1975-asian-cup-winners-are-still-fighting-to-tell-their-story

This article is more than 2 years old ‘We started it all’: The first Football Ferns are still fighting to tell their story. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/29/new-zealand-football-ferns-world-cup-story

The rematch (and emotional reunion) that was 48 years in the making …https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2023/08/15/the-rematch-and-emotional-reunion-that-was-48-years-in-the-making/