Image: Man in the Stands
The 2016 NPLW season may be gone but one figure of Alamein FC’s history – and predecessor Ashburton in the former Women’s Premier League – will be remembered for years to come.
Former captain Christine Pfeiffer was recognised for nearly a decade of service to the club with an award named in her honour following her retirement from the game after the end of the season.
The Christine Pfeiffer Medal – of which she is the inaugural recipient – will be awarded to an Alamein player who displays “outstanding service to the club, the league and the football community” throughout a season.
Despite the journey ending at heartbreaking semi-final exits in league and cup this year, the captain reflected fondly on her experiences with Alamein and Ashburton, in which she was consistently one of the most courageous and tireless performers in the league.
“I felt a part of something special when I played for Ashburton and Alamein. The club is friendly and the group of girls I had the privilege to play with throughout my time was very special,” Pfeiffer said.
“I really felt like I was part of a family, they were my soccer family. I never wanted to let them down and I think that has been the hardest thing for me.”
Pfeiffer’s footballing journey commenced at Eltham North Junior Soccer Club in 1999, playing through the juniors and making a senior debut at age 14. She made regional representation in the state in ensuing years.
She was selected for the Victorian state team at U16 in 2003, and made the Victoria Vision side in the women’s national league competition before the inception of the W-League, making a number of appearances at the highest level domestically in Australia.
Nine goals followed for Eltham’s WPL seniors team in 2004, before a knee reconstruction in 2005 halted Pfeiffer’s career.
She made the switch to Ashburton Women’s Soccer Club in 2008 and played each season thereafter until the league was formatted to the NPL system, which she stayed on for the inception of Alamein FC in 2016.
A captain of both Ashburton and Alamein under Sinisa Cohadzic, the coach spoke of the respect Pfeiffer earned from her peers.
He added that the award was due recognition for a player who often flew under the radar, but whose impact on the club and teammates left an indelible mark.
“Christine has been a great servant of the Ashburton/Alamein FC in the last 10 years and the way she conducted herself and the way she went about playing the game she will be hard to replace,” he said.
“Her professionalism, courage, never die attitude and leadership has put her in category of one of the most successful players in history of women’s game in Victoria.
“Her relentless attitude and will to do everything for the team on and off the field has made my job easier because I always knew that she would give me 100% as a player and a leader.
“Deserving she was as the first recipient of the medal that will be awarded every year as the Christine Pfeiffer medal to the most outstanding player at the Alamein FC.
“The club will always remember her outstanding services to the club and whole Victorian soccer community.”
Alamein will now have to prepare for life without one of its most experienced campaigners on the pitch, though her presence off it will now remain preserved in the club’s history.