How AFLW star Libby Birch grew a thicker skin in the spotlight

She's a leader for all athletes 

"It’s OK to have high expectations, but you need to understand hard work isn’t always going to guarantee a great result. It’s just going to help you along the way". Photography: Dylan Burns (AFL)

The netballer turned AFLW star, physio and rebel ambassador talks building a thick skin and finding belonging in sport. 

You’ve had an incredibly successful journey with elite sport, from captaining Victoria at the national netball championships to now playing for North Melbourne in the AFLW. What sparked that passion?

Sport was the first thing that made me feel strong and empowered as a youngster. I really struggled to make friends and got bullied a lot in primary school, so it was a way for me to feel a sense of belonging. I also liked being able to push myself and achieve goals and, I guess, understand how life works in a way, because sport’s very similar to life.

You need to learn teamwork and good communication, you have setbacks but then you get up and get going again. And of course, you need to have respect for the people around you.

"It’s OK to have high expectations, but you need to understand hard work isn’t always going to guarantee a great result. It’s just going to help you along the way". Image: Instagram.

You’re also a physiotherapist and have worked in hospitals and aged care. How much does that specialist knowledge help with managing your own recovery and dodging injury?

I love being a physiotherapist because it helps me understand myself and my body as an athlete. I stand by the fact that the biggest benefits you get from exercise and training don’t come during the session – they happen afterwards.

That’s why I’m religious with my recovery. I often nap after big sessions to give my body time to do its thing and repair the muscles I’ve trained. I go to bed quite early, too. I also do a lot of stretching and yoga, and finally got my hands on a pair of compression boots. They push all the fluid at your ankles up towards your heart, which reduces the lactic acid in your muscles and gets a good oxygen flow going.

And obviously nutrition is really important, especially making sure that you’re eating enough protein. 

"It’s OK to have high expectations, but you need to understand hard work isn’t always going to guarantee a great result. It’s just going to help you along the way". Image: Instagram.

How do you manage the critique that comes with being a high-profile player? Are you thick-skinned? 

I’ve had some sports psychology sessions around this because it’s been something I’ve had to develop, that thick skin. Yes, you can be born with an element of toughness, but the experiences you have in life always help you grow an extra layer.

One of the tricks I’ve learned is to just relax and accept whatever challenge is ahead of me, rather than try to avoid it. If I don’t, that’s when the pressure builds up in my head. Being OK with the fact that I’m going to do my best, but that it might not work out, has also been very relieving because I’m a perfectionist at heart.

It’s OK to have high expectations, but you need to understand hard work isn’t always going to guarantee a great result. It’s just going to help you along the way. 

"It’s OK to have high expectations, but you need to understand hard work isn’t always going to guarantee a great result. It’s just going to help you along the way". Image: Instagram.

In 2018, when you were at Western Bulldogs, you won the rebel Young Leader Award. Since then, you’ve been a huge supporter of rebel’s grassroots campaigns. Why are you so passionate we all play a sport, no matter our age or skill level?

I was introduced to AFL by a player called Daisy Pearce, who’s my best friend now. She gave me a pair of boots and drove me down to the Darebin Falcons to train for the first time. That taught me about sharing the gift of sport and how it can make such a difference in someone’s life. Since then, footy’s taught me a lot about having a sense of belonging. That’s why I connect so well with rebel – it’s been a standout company in terms of supporting grassroots and women in sport. Even at community games, it’s not just about the person playing, it’s about everyone – the umpires, timekeepers, volunteers. Sport brings people together.

Originally published as How AFLW star Libby Birch grew a thicker skin in the spotlight