I was out shooting along the Yarra river in Melbourne today. As I was finishing up, I noticed a lot of girls and women arriving at Ron Barassi Snr Park for a game of soccer, so I decided to stay a while and shoot their game. I had the K1 and DFA* 70-200 with me, which was adequate, though if I'd known I would have taken the K3iii. Anyway, it turned out there were many professional photographers there, and the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). It had to be something special.
With the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, life become impossible for many women who excelled in all sorts of areas. Some of the elite soccer players, including the national team, managed to get out of the country. A group of them ended up in Australia. The top ranking Melbourne Victory club (which fields both men's and women's teams in the national comps) has taken them under its wings and they are now playing in a (lowish level for now) suburban league in Melbourne. They drew their first game last week, but were doing much better today, 4-0 in the first half (when I left). Here are a few of the 600+ shots I took.
Warming up
The goalie getting in some pre-match practice
Former Socceroo and high-profile commentator and human rights advocate Craig Foster, being interviewed during the game by the ABC
The best player on the park winding up for a shot (she scored twice in the first half)
Race down the flank
Celebrating a goal (it feels so good after six months being unable to play)