Dons’ defender Carrie Doig is a school teacher at Kellands Primary and it was at primary school that she first started playing football herself. Now the 28-year-old is inspiring the children she teaches both in school and on the football pitch.
“I started at primary with my school team, I think there was just me and one other girls in the team. I just loved it and joined a girl’s team at the end of primary school, that led into Aberdeen Ladies and I’ve been here ever since. So, I’ve worked my way up through all the age groups since I was 12 until now being with the first team”.
There is a clear pathway now for young girls at Aberdeen Ladies to climb the age groups and hopefully reach the first team in SWPL1. Doig feels that is hugely important and is also do her bit to help produce Dons stars of the future.
“It’s absolutely massive for them to have something to aim for and they can see first team players by coming to games and we get involved with them by going to their tournaments. It’s important for them to have something to aim for and now they can think about it as a career which was never an option for me. In the school that I teach at I started a football club and initially we had about five girls, now we’ve got up to thirty girls and it’s amazing to see that growth in the women’s game. The girls are getting more and more into it and they are starting younger now. We just do it for fun but some of them are really developing and moving on so hopefully we’ll see some of them playing for Aberdeen in the future”.
The AFCW players devote a huge amount of time to the team and make many sacrifices as many of them juggle work or education with playing and training and Carrie is no different.
“It’s pretty hard and quite tiring. It can be long days as I go straight from work to coaching the school teams and then on to training. It’s something I enjoy doing though so it doesn’t seem like a chore. I would like to get into coaching in the future, I run three teams at my school and I’ve started doing my coaching badges and it kind of links into my teaching as well so I just love it.” It was a tough start to life in what was then the Aberdeen Ladies first team for Doig as the team suffered the first of two demotions. The following two seasons were more enjoyable though as the team won consecutive league titles.
“My first season with the Aberdeen Ladies first team was the season we got relegated, then obviously we went down again. That first season was tough as we didn’t really have a full squad. There was a core of us that stuck together and did what we had to do and that’s when the club stepped in and took over. Emma and Harley came in and we got some more players and proper coaching. We had always had good players we just didn’t have the right facilities and support so getting that from the club has been huge. We stuck together and fought hard and ended up being back-to-back champions which was a pretty special feeling, we’re really proud of it”.
Sticking together has been a big part of the team’s success of the last few seasons and it’s something they will need as their first season in SWPL1 continues.
“The brilliant thing about this team is that we are all really such good friends. We’ve got a wide age range between the players but it doesn’t matter. We like doing things together outside of football and socialising together as well. We see each other so often throughout the week that you see your team more than your family. It’s a special bond and we’re prepared to fight and be there for each other on an off the pitch”.
The Dons have already had their first experience of playing in a live televised game. It’s a new experience for everyone but one that Doig feels has positives both now and in the future. “I think it will have a positive effect for us. It may be a daunting at first knowing more people are watching but I think we’ll get used to it. It can only be positive as it gives you that added motivation to give your all and do your best. It’s also massive for the women’s game. To have the kids at my school saying that they saw me on tv at the weekend is just amazing and they think I’m famous! Giving young kids that visibility of having roles models visible to them can only be a good thing”.
As well as playing for Aberdeen, Carrie is also a massive Dons fan so she really enjoyed the chance to parade the SWPL2 trophy in front of the fans at Pittodrie earlier this season. “I loved it. I didn’t know if people would cheer for us that much but as soon as we stepped out there was a massive cheer and it just felt amazing. It really made us feel part of the club and it was great to be recognised for the hard work we have put in for the club by representing the team. People were asking for photographs as we went round the pitch and the whole thing just made us feel really special”.
