Bethany Zimitat 150 senior games, life membership from Glenmore Bulls

Bethany Zimitat has played with the Glenmore Bulls on and off for more than a decade. Discover how her enduring career has been rewarded.

Bethany Zimitat is the first female to have played 150 senior games with the Glenmore Bulls Australian Football Club.

A friend’s urging to give Aussie rules a try set Beth Zimitat on the road to a very special milestone.

The talented halfback has become the first female to clock up 150 senior games with the Glenmore Bulls Australian Football Club in Rockhampton.

The achievement also meant she met the criteria to become a life member, something which she was duly awarded for her contribution on and off the field.

Zimitat is an on-field leader and has won five premierships with Glenmore, as well as numerous club awards.

She said the latest recognition was “pretty special”.

“I wasn’t expecting it,” she said.

Bethany Zimitat has won five premierships with the Glenmore Bulls.

“I forgot about it after the season ended and my husband Josh went along to the meeting when they announced it, so it was definitely a big surprise.

“I’m very, very grateful to receive it but I’m actually just grateful to be involved with such a great club.

“It’s a real family club and it’s a special community to be a part of.”

Glenmore president Sean Peckover said it was “absolutely fantastic” for Zimitat to receive life membership.

The club moved this year to reduce the number of games women had to play to qualify for the honour.

Zimitat has been playing on and off for more than a decade, in between having her two sons who are a familiar sight at the Bulls games.

“That was a great move to change the criteria and I think it’s the right way for all clubs to be moving,” Peckover said.

“Beth’s an invaluable part of the Bulls fabric; not only has she won multiple premierships as a player but her contributions off the field have been tremendous.”

Bethany Zimitat in action for Glenmore

Zimitat was also recognised for assisting as a volunteer whenever needed and playing a key role in helping the teenage girls coming through the club.

She was introduced to the game by a friend.

“I had grown up playing hockey all my life and I had a friend convince me to come over and give AFL a crack.

“I went and had a go and loved it.

“I never went back to hockey after that.

“I started with Glenmore in the second year they had a women’s team and played around having my two boys.”

Zimitat agreed that changing the game number was a sensible approach, given men had an opportunity to play reserve grade or A-grade whereas there was only one division for the women.