Margaux Chauvet’s incredible journey, from civil war to A-League glory

Margaux Chauvet’s family escaped Ivory Coast at the height of the civil war, but it’s the way her family handled that crisis that laid the platform for her journey to the A-League final.

Sydney FC’s Margaux Chauvet is challenged by Melbourne Victory’s Emily Gielnik. Picture: Getty Images

While there are parts of her past Margaux Chauvet is glad she is too young to remember – like fleeing the Ivory Coast during a Civil War – the Sydney FC defender says if it hadn’t happened she might not be preparing for her first A-League's final.

Chauvet, 21, was born in the Ivory Coast – where her father Renaud, originally from France was based for work.

In 2004, at the height of a civil war – the embassy came under gun fire. The Chauvet family, aided by the French Foreign Legion, were forced to flee.

Chauvet was just two-and-a-half years old at the time, her older brother was five.

“It was pretty traumatic for my family, I don’t remember too much of it because I was so young,” Chauvet said.

“It was pretty full on. Obviously they have told me a few stories about what happened and I kind of know what happened but I don’t remember much.”

Margaux Chauvet under plenty of pressure from two Western Sydney Wanderers players. Picture: Getty Images

The family were evacuated in a military helicopter to a refugee camp before relocating to France.

Mr Chauvet found a job in Australia not long after and the family all moved.

“It is definitely part of my story but I don’t want to let it define me in any way,” Chauvet said.

“It happened quite a while ago. But I do sometimes reflect – I’ve travelled and moved around quite a lot at a very young age – I’m lucky that I got to grow up in Australia and didn’t have to go through too much hardship.

“Maybe I wouldn’t have had a football career if it hadn’t happened.”

Chauvet was seven when she started playing football in Wollongong.

“My brother played and I really wanted to start playing,” she said.

“I worked my way up and played in the NPL and signed my first A-League's contract when I was 18-years-old. Which was amazing.

“Growing up I never really thought making a career out of football was going to be an option.

“But seeing how popular and how big the game is growing in Australia I’m definitely looking to keep playing.”

Chauvet joined Sydney FC this season after two seasons with Western Sydney Wanderers and a stint in Iceland.

Sydney FC’s Margaux Chauvet and Wanderers’ Amy Chessari contest possession. Picture: Getty Images

The 21-year-old said the switch was spurred by a desire to get more minutes on the field. In her two-season at the Wanderers she played just five games – this season she has taken to the field on 10 occasions.

Quite a feat when you consider the calibre of the Sydney FC squad.

After domination the league Sydney FC faltered at the finish line giving up their chance to win a historic fourth premiership in a row.

Chauvet said it they were obviously disappointed but the two week break between that 4-0 loss to Melbourne Victory and this weekend’s semi-final with Central Coast Mariners had been a blessing.

“It’s been really good for us to finally get a rest – we had quite a few games in the back end of the season with midweek catch up games,” she said.

“But it was good to mentally skip ahead to the next game and get the vibes back.”

Central Coast Mariners are in top form and Chauvet knows they are in for a tough match.

Margaux Chauvet (right) joined Sydney FC this season after two seasons with Western Sydney Wanderers and a stint in Iceland. Picture: Getty Images

For the first time the A-League's’ women’s semi-final will be played as a two-legged match – meaning each side will get a home and away game – with the winner determined by the aggregate score.

Chauvet said it was a fair way to run the competition and she was already looking forward to playing a final in front of a home crowd next weekend.

“Everyone knows how much a home crowd can help the team with extra support and motivation, we get quite a big crowd – that crowd will be really motivating for us,” she said.

“It has been incredible this season – having young girls coming up to me after the game and asking for signatures and saying really nice things – it’s really motivating.”

Sydney FC will play Central Coast Mariners on Sunday at 5.45pm.