Adelaide United teenager Chelsie Dawber overcomes serious head injury to score first W-League goal
A mystery head injury which left her with persistent headaches and sleeping up to 16 hours a day raised fears Chelsie Dawber may never play soccer again. Now, the brave teenager is relaunching her W-League career with Adelaide United.
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Chelsie Dawber feared she may never play soccer again after a mystery head injury left her sidelined with persistent headaches and sleeping up to 16 hours a day.
The Adelaide United forward was representing SA at the futsal – indoor soccer – national championships, when a mishap in the pre-match warm-up put her promising career in doubt.
Dawber’s head collided with a wall as she was accidentally struck by a teammates’ shot, just moments before the opening game of the Sydney tournament in January 2016.
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She bravely played on but was bedridden a week later, leaving doctors baffled by the issue which kept her off the pitch and effectively out of school for eight months.
“I’d never experienced anything like it before,” Dawber, 19, said.
“I’ve had little niggle injuries, like I’ve done my ankle or hamstring, but nothing like that.
“I wasn’t able to concentrate and couldn’t go to school.
“I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to play soccer again, because they weren’t sure how long it was going to take (to recover).
“It was confusing for doctors and myself, because it’s an unknown injury.
“But I had self-belief and hope that I was going to get better and come out on the other side.”
Dawber, also an accomplished basketballer with North Adelaide, realised the severity of her situation, when she suddenly lacked the co-ordination to dribble the ball playing hoops.
She was eventually diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome – a mild form of traumatic brain injury – two months after the incident, but was given no timeline to return to football.
The Australian youth international grappled with the uncertainty of the condition, as she missed most of Year 11 at St Aloysius College and was unable to even watch training.
She bounced back to make nine appearances for the Reds in 2017/18, but was again struck down last summer when stress fractures in her shins restricted her to just 11 minutes of action.
Her comeback was complete when she grabbed her maiden W-League strike with a typically powerful run and composed finish in last week’s 2-2 draw with Perth Glory.
“It was a long time coming,” said Dawber, after her effort won the competition’s goal of the round.
“But in some ways, it’s like a congratulations for sticking at it and working hard.
“It was frustrating, not only for me but my family, to see me not able to play the sport I love.
“It was hard not seeing my friends or being able to do what I enjoy.
“But it was important to get myself right so that I can continue to play and try to do the best I can.
“I’m obviously very cautious when I get hit in the head (with the ball) now, but I’ve had no ongoing problems.
“It just makes my success even better and makes me more hungry for even more success.”
Dawber hoped to carry the team’s momentum and her new-found belief into the second half of the campaign, while continuing to repay the faith of the Reds and coach Ivan Karlovic.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity they’ve provided me and their support,” the Flinders University speech pathology student said.
“I guess now I just need to keep scoring goals so we can win and get the success that the club deserves.
“It’s only up from here.”