How Erin Gordon juggles it: Balancing captaining Football NSW Institute with doing her HSC

Erin Gordon has always stepped up to a challenge but admits it has been a difficult adjustment this season to lead a young Football NSW institute side whilst completing her HSC at Moriah College.

Gordon is looking forward to helping the squad improve on last season and is excited and appreciative for the new leadership opportunity that the captaincy brings.

“Seeing the older girls [previously in leadership roles at Football NSW Institute], and seeing how their leadership and captaincy was, and now seeing me in that role, it’s a full circle moment and I’m very very grateful for the opportunity.”

With such a young squad on top of the girls that have played in this year’s A-League Womens competition, Gordon knows her leadership is extremely important for the team to succeed.

“As a centre back, I’ve always been a natural leader but this year as the official captain I have needed to step up not only on the field but off the field as well.”

Gordon credits the juggling act between HSC studying and training and playing every week in the National Premier Leagues NSW Womens competition to a strong organisational routine and a sense of sacrifice.

“Throughout these years I’ve developed a routine.

“Every year as school gets harder, I’ve found new organisational methods, new ways to get my work done before and after training.

“It’s about being able to go to training and being fully committed to the training but then coming home and knowing you only have a certain amount of time to get this work done or get this assessment done.”

Gordon says it has been a challenge in her career thus far to balance football with her studies and social life, since she goes to such an academically focussed school.

The 18-year-old recently travelled to America with the Australian School Girls team to compete in the 2023 Dallas Cup, where the team were runners-up in the tournament.

“It was such a great experience, and I was so proud to represent my country.”

The rising young star loved the American college atmosphere and would love to explore any college football opportunities that present themselves in the future.

As for post-HSC, Gordon isn’t 100% certain but says she wants to study something hands-on such as physiotherapy or occupational therapy.

For the season ahead, Erin’s main goal is to help Football NSW Institute improve their ladder position on last year, ideally competing for a semi-final spot.

Personally, she hopes to get an opportunity soon with an A-League Womens side to gain some professional experience, whatever the case may be, the sky’s the limit for Erin Gordon.

-By Annabelle Banfield