Surfside gold

Jane Emerick
Olympic gold medallist Cathy Freeman will be the secret weapon of an Ocean Grove women’s soccer team.
Surfside coach Mark Rapa hoped the new Ocean Grove resident could help lift his side off the bottom of the Western Division Soccer Association ladder.
Mr Rapa this week confirmed Australia’s Sydney Olympics golden girl had joined the team.
“At first I was a bit surprised anyone would want to join our team, let alone an Olympic athlete,” Mr Rapa said.
“But when she showed up at training we had to pinch ourselves.”
Mr Rapa said he met Ms Freeman at his gym in Ocean Grove.
One of his employees, who also plays for Surfside, invited Ms Freeman to join the team.
“She was really receptive to the idea,” Mr Rapa said.
“Like most of the ladies on the team, she has never played soccer before but she shows a lot of promise.
“She obviously has the speed, which is good.”
Mr Rapa said Ms Freeman had fit in well with the other women on the team, many of whom had not recognised her at the first training session.
“I just introduced her as Cathy,” he said.
“She was wearing a hat and some of the girls had no idea she was Cathy Freeman.”
Mr Rapa said joining a losing side was not an issue for Ms Freeman.
“We go to games expecting to lose and that’s not a point for Cathy,” he said.
“She’s just happy to come along and do something where there is no pressure.”
Ms Freeman was set to make her debut against Surfside arch rival Surf Coast this weekend but an injury had put her first match on hold, Mr Rapa said.
“She’s just going come along and support us,” he said.
“Her debut on the pitch will have to wait.”