Calder Cannons development coach Alicia Eva recognised among emerging talents in Victorian women’s football

IN FOOTBALL, statistics can often be deceiving. But not in Alicia Eva’s case.

Calder Cannons' TAC Cup development coach Alicia Eva has been nominated for an emerging leader award as part of the Football Women of the Year awards which will be announced next month.

IN FOOTBALL, statistics can often be deceiving.

But not in Alicia Eva’s case.

The 23-year-old, from Malvern East, has achieved more than most could dream of in 15 years of football.

Eva has won six club best and fairest awards, two league best and fairest awards, played for Melbourne in the AFL women’s match and works with TAC Cup club Calder Cannons as a development coach.

And that’s only about half of the Melbourne Uni midfielder’s achievements.

Eva has been nominated for the inaugural Emerging Leader award, which will be announced as part of the Football Woman of the Year awards on September 25.

“(It’s) very humbling to be nominated, particularly with the other nominees like Chelsea Randall and Nadine (Rabah),” Eva said.

“Surprising, very humbling and exciting.”

Playing, coaching and loving football means Eva’s life revolves around the sport.

“All these doors have opened up where I probably once thought they weren’t possible,” she said.

“From playing and now to coaching, I’m gaining so much experience and just trying to take every opportunity that I get.”

Eva joined the Cannons in 2012, when she worked with the club’s under-16 team, and said she had learned plenty from her time at Highgate Reserve.

“The list is long,” she said.

“I’ve been a sponge while I’ve been out there.

“Coaching under Chris Fellows in the 16s and now with Andrew Jago ... I’ve just been able to take in a lot from a lot of different coaches.”

Eva wore the No. 18 guernsey for her beloved Melbourne in this year’s AFL women’s game, which the Demons won by 46 points.

“I was lucky to be picked up by Melbourne, my family go for them and we’ve been going for them for years,” she said.

“I was picked up by them last year and was lucky enough to be retained to play this year.

“You come against some of these other girls at national carnivals and to all come together and play with the best of the best, it was a pretty amazing experience.”

Eva said her passion for football stemmed from being part of a team environment.

“I love working in a team,” she said.

“From a coaching perspective I love empowering people to want to achieve.

“I just think challenging yourself and running around with your teammates wanting to achieve a common goal is something I’ve really enjoyed over the past 15 or so years.”