FOOTBALL STAR JULIE FLEETING TALKS TO CATHY MACDONALD ABOUT JUGGLING NAPPIES WITH SCORING GOALS
CUIDE RI CATHY – JULIE FLEETING MBE
Monday 28 June at 10.00pm on BBC ALBA
Leading women’s footballer Julie Fleeting spends the day with Cathy MacDonald and reveals her secrets behind successfully balancing the demands of motherhood, work and a top level sporting career.
Speaking during the latest programme of the Cuide Ri Cathy series on BBC ALBA, Julie talks to Cathy at her home about life and football, before inviting her to a training session later that evening.
Awarded an MBE by The Queen in 2008 for her services to the game, Julie is the star player in the Scotland national side, having scored 113 goals in 115 matches for her country and will be an integral part of the tonight’s world cup qualifier against Denmark which will be broadcast live on BBC ALBA.
The star, who plays for the English champions Arsenal Ladies, gave birth to daughter Ella in July 2009. Since then, she has been on maternity leave from her full-time job as a PE teacher and it’s no surprise to learn that having a baby has changed Julie’s life. She explains: “Nothing prepares you for the sleepless nights but you actually can’t believe that this one tiny person is now here to live with us forever. I just love being a mum.”
Julie recently hit the headlines when the SFA gave their blessing to Ella accompanying her on foreign trips and this support, plus that of her teammates, has helped on her return to playing. She says: “Knowing other mums on the Arsenal team gave me inspiration and belief you could be a mum and be on top of your game at the same time. I’m delighted the SFA have backed me and are giving me that support. It definitely means a lot - it’s a step forward and it means that being a mum isn’t necessarily the end for you as an athlete.
“I think there are a few women in other sports like tennis that are having kids and coming back, able to perform at the top of their game. I think that shows a different side to sport. You can be a female and you can be a mum and it doesn’t mean everything else goes on the back burner.”
Although she comes from a footballing family – she can’t remember how and when she first decided to start playing. Julie says: “I’ve no idea how it started - it was just something I enjoyed doing, I’d always be outside, I loved fresh air and there were always boys in our street so in order to join in with them that’s what I done.”
These days Julie relies on the support of her husband Colin Stewart, goalkeeper for Greenock Morton. Whereas Colin trains with his team as part of his ‘day job’, Julie needs to fit in her fitness and practice regime after work. However, she remains philosophical about the demands placed on her, saying: “I think men’s football will always have its place in society and women’s football will always be battling to find where it fits in. I’ve always known that was going to be the way so it doesn’t annoy you. I never thought football would pay the bills.
“It’s tough when you come home from work, are knackered and its pouring with rain outside - all you want to do is put on the telly and curl up on the couch, but they are the times that test you. How badly do you want to play at the highest level? And that’s what you need to think about and put to the front of your mind. It’s fortunate I also have Colin there who is going to push me every step of the way.”
CUIDE RI CATHY will be broadcast on BBC ALBA on Monday 28 June at 22:00 and is available on Sky channel 168 & Freesat channel 110.