ANDY RETURN FOR SOUTH
Making the A-League ... ‘coming out’ to international attention ... and now returning to Hobart, Andy Brennan has packed a great deal into his football career, and given himself plenty to reflect upon
He’s been interviewed all over the world, broken down barriers in sport and plied his trade as one of Hobart’s greatest soccer exports, but Andy Brennan is happy to be home and once again playing for South Hobart.
AFTER switching South Hobart for South Melbourne in 2015, Andy Brennan became one of a handful of Tasmanians to play in the A-League when he ran out for Newcastle Jets.
After his A-League stint in 2015-16 and 2016-17 ended, Brennan returned to Victoria, where he was the first Australian male professional footballer to come out as gay.
More than a year on from this moment, having returned to Hobart, he has much to reflect on.
“It was a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be,” Brennan said.
He came out via social media in May last year with a statement that read: “It’s taken me years to get comfortable saying this – I’m gay.
“I was scared it would affect my friendships, my teammates, and my family.
“But the support of the people around me has been so great and helped me to get to the final step; being completely open.
“Being open is the best way for me to feel most comfortable and be myself. So … carry on!”
Brennan’s post gained thousands of likes and hundreds of comments across multiple platforms, and sparked worldwide media reports.
“It really did go around the world, I went on Good Morning Britain in the UK and there were things with CNN — it was mind blowing, really,” he said.
“It’s a big deal because so many people stop playing, so many people are fearful of what will happen so they don’t play and they quit early or turn away from the sport, so it is a
big deal and is obviously one that needs more talking about.”
He hopes the positive response helps others in similar situations.
“You never know what people’s backgrounds are or who is in their life or anything like that, so it can be a scary time for people,” he said.
“It’s what we want to get to — no matter your sexuality, your race or whatever, you can play sport and not be judged on who you are or what you are, but what you can do, which is most important.”
After recent stints at Green Gully SC and Hume City FC, Brennan has returned to South Hobart due to the pandemic.
“It’s nice to be back at South,” he said. “Obviously I was there for a long time before. It’s different to playing in Victoria, but it’s nice to be back.”
Brennan, 27, was happy with the squad he returned to, saying it had been performing well even before his injection of experience.
“They are pretty smart young players, they have obviously had good coaching and a good football education,” he said.
“As much as it’s good to have experience and help them, they have done quite well themselves.”
Brennan is one of a select few from the Apple Isle who have turned out in Australian football’s top division, and he puts it down to hard work and quality coaching.
“I was pretty lucky working with (South Hobart coach) Ken (Morton) for many years, he really pushed me and got me to a level where I was anywhere near that standard, so without him it would have been a different story,” Brennan said.
“Now it is different because the academies in clubs in Tasmania give you a platform and a chance.
“I think it’s better now, but for me back then, and the same with Jeremy (Walker) who came through the NTC (National Training Centre) — and I think Josh Hope did the same — there weren’t as many opportunities.”
From South Hobart, Brennan moved to South Melbourne where he caught the eye of then Newcastle coach Phil Stubbins and earned a move to the Jets.
Brennan says a Tasmanian team in the national competition would make it easier for locals to make the jump, and the academy set up at South Hobart is equal if not better than those at Victorian NPL clubs.
The only regret he has of his ALeague stint is pushing himself too hard, resulting in injuries, but now is just happy being out on the pitch.
“Through COVID you just realise how much you miss playing. I haven’t played a full 90 in a long time and haven’t scored a goal for a long time, so I want to go back to enjoying it,” he said.
Brennan is available to return for South Hobart on Saturday after a one-week suspension due to a red card. South travels to Devonport to take on the table-topping Strikers, at 2pm at Valley Road.
“I know they have a few decent players and I have played against most of them, so hopefully we can get the three points,” he said.
IT’S WHAT WE WANT TO GET TO — NO MATTER YOUR SEXUALITY, YOUR RACE, OR WHATEVER, YOU CAN PLAY SPORT AND NOT BE JUDGED ON WHO YOU ARE OR WHAT YOU ARE, BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO, WHICH IS MOST IMPORTANT
SOUTH HOBART’S ANDY BRENNAN