AMANDA HAS IMPRESSIVE GOALS
SHE has only been playing AFL for a year, but Bigger Waters registered nurse Amanda ‘AJ’ Berry is already eyeing off a career with the Gold Coast Suns women’s team.
The fitness fanatic made it to the final stage for a sport rookie of the year position with the Brisbane Lions and recently won the division one premiership playing for Bond University in the QWAFL – the top league for Queensland.
The next step, she says, is to score a spot on the Suns team.
Mrs Berry, 27, is well prepared to battle it out on the footy field having worked in emergency, intensive care, orthopaedic wards, and most recently in theatre during her eight-year nursing career. “I love it,” she said. “The Gold Coast (University) Hospital is a great place to work, allowing me to grow as a nurse, and my bosses in theatre are very supportive of my sporting ambitions allowing me to get to training and games.”
And the registered nurse is no stranger to dealing with injuries off and on the field.
“I have had three shoulder reconstructions prior to starting to play football,” she said.
“I have torn a hamstring last season and first game of this season I did a second degree tear to my left calf.
“Luckily we have a great support network at Bond where they have the best physios looking after us. All the girls in the team have your back no matter what.
“It’s a great feeling playing for not only yourself but for every other team member on and off the field.”
Despite suffering several sporting injuries, Mrs Berry also enjoys body boarding and photography.
She has also amassed 21,000 social media followers this year who are keen to follow her “fit and healthy” journey. She also trains a group of nurses on the weekends to help them get in shape.
“The Gold Coast Suns will be putting out a team for a winter series coming up this year, so my aim is to be picked for that squad,” she said.
“I would stop working as a nurse if the women’s comp could pay the same amount I earn being a clinical nurse in theatre.
“Having a mortgage and other expenses makes it challenging training six days a week and working 10-hour shifts full time.
“The Gold Coast Suns have been very supportive and it would be an honour to represent them as I have grown up on the Gold Coast.”
IT’S A GREAT FEELING PLAYING FOR NOT ONLY YOURSELF BUT FOR EVERY OTHER TEAM MEMBER ON AND OFF THE FIELD AMANDA BERRY