Peyton Webster to wear her uncle’s retired Claremont number

One of the most tragic events in Australian sporting history will finally have a bright moment thanks to a remarkable cross-generational tale of love and respect at a Tasmanian footy club.

Peyton Webster will inherit her uncle Brent “Nippa” Webster’s number 12 guernsey. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

When Peyton Webster pulls on her number 12 Claremont jumper for the first time, it will represent so much more than a game of footy.

The occasion will mark a connection between one of the club’s darkest moments with the next phase of the Magpies’ growth.

Peyton’s uncle, Brent “Nippa” Webster’s life changed forever when he, as club captain, was left a quadriplegic after breaking his neck while wrestling with a teammate at the club’s best-and-fairest presentation night in 2008.

It was an incident which left the then 24-year-old in a Melbourne hospital for several months before he returned to Tasmania in 2009.

Claremont made the decision to retire Brent’s jumper number after the tragic event.

But 17 years later, Peyton will write her own piece of Claremont history as part of the club’s first under-18 girls team.

“It’s pretty special,” Peyton said of the opportunity to wear the number 12.

“It’s a big deal, I’m pretty excited to be part of the under-18 team.”

Peyton Webster with Brent "Nippa" Webster. Photo: Supplied

The number 12 has followed Peyton throughout her promising career to date – wearing it right the way through her time with Claremont Junior Football Club, who are known as the Bulldogs.

Younger sister Lily wears the number proudly on her back too while oldest sibling Jemma has gone down the netball path after once playing footy.

And the decision to wear 12 has sparked its own sibling rivalry with the girl’s dad, Scott, also a life member of Glenorchy – playing game 200 in the year his brother’s jumper was retired.

“When we told Brent Peyton would be playing in black and white this year, he said to her ‘you better be wearing number 12’,” mum Christine recalled.

“It made Nippa happy because they didn’t want to wear number 14 like their dad. It’s something he’s always hanging on Scott.”

Peyton’s family connection to the club runs well beyond her uncle with her grandparents, Brett and Christine Carr, life members of the footy club.

Christine made history when she was the club’s first female president for six years while her Rebecca is the current secretary.

Rebecca met Peyton’s father, Scott, at the club back in the 1990s.

“We’ve pretty much lived at the club,” Rebecca said.

“It will be nice to see her (Peyton) run out in the black and white.

“Hopefully Lily sticks to it as well and can where the black and white one day as well.”

The family all together. Photo: Supplied.

The Webster family’s new chapter being written is only one of several which will be included in the establishment of the Magpies’ under-18 side.

Ella McCarthy, the niece of Sandy Eaton who was the club’s first women’s premiership coach, will also don the black and white.

Tahira and Aurora McCulloch, the daughter of James who has over 100 games for the club to his name, will also be involved.

Madelyn Rozynski will follow in the footsteps of her mother, Gen Paterson, a two-time premiership player who was part of the Magpies’ inaugural women’s team in 2017.

Imogen Maass-Triffitt carries her family connection with her dad a former colts player.

Rachael Duffy, a member of the women’s team, and Melinda Green have been named the co-coaches with the duo former state league players.

They’ll work closely alongside Cameron Duffy, the women’s senior coach to develop the stars of the future.

“It’s pretty significant,” Rachael said.

“We’ve been working hard the last three or years in particular to build the connection in the youth space.

“The club is excited to see them wear the black and white this year and for years to come.”

With Claremont now having its own under-18 side, it will create a smoother transition between the junior and senior grades for players.

Previously, they would have transfer from the junior club to the Magpies.

“We had a player last year who played in the 18s and the senior women,” Rachael said.

Nippa back in his playing days.

“We had to work through all the rules, making sure she was registered in both competitions, ensuring games weren’t clashing.

“That clear alignment now is good at the senior level.

“We all train together so the girls know they have that opportunity, if they put in the commitment and perform, there’s the opportunity there.”

As for Peyton, don’t be surprised if she follows in the footsteps of her family as leaders within the club community.

A runner-up in the under-16 best-and-fairest last season, she was also her team’s vice-captain.

“It’s helped with my confidence a lot,” she said.