In a heartwarming pre-Christmas gesture, the Wagga Wagga community has rallied to honour one of its own sporting heroes, former Matilda Sally Shipard, by naming a local oval in her honour.
A Life-Changing Phone Call
A few days before Christmas, Sally Shipard received an unexpected phone call from an unknown number. On the line was Josh Walsh, the recreation coordinator for Wagga Wagga City Council, bearing incredible news. The entire community had come together to nominate her as the namesake for a local sporting oval.
For Shipard, 36, the call was deeply emotional. "I hold Wagga very dear when I reflect on my own life - and this is a celebration of women's sport," she said. The former midfielder grew up in the Riverina city and spent years playing professionally with Canberra United.
Replacing a Tarnished Legacy
The decision marks a significant and symbolic shift for the community. It comes over a year after the council narrowly voted to remove the name of former Test cricketer Michael Slater from the field. Slater was convicted of serious abuse offences.
Wagga Wagga Deputy Mayor Georgie Davies said the final choice was a simple one. "What Slater did was so deplorable, you wouldn't want any asset named after him," she stated. The council's vote on Monday night was unanimous and smooth.
The oval is currently nameless, but council is already planning a joyous ceremony to officially dedicate the first field in Wagga Wagga ever to be named after a woman.
A Personal Journey and a Community Triumph
The honour holds profound personal significance for Shipard and her partner, April Davis, 38. The couple began their IVF journey only to discover Shipard was in the early stages of ovarian cancer. She underwent treatment that induced surgical menopause and is now in remission.
Davis works for a court advocacy service supporting victims of family violence, adding a further layer of meaning to the renaming. It honours both women's fields—sport and advocacy.
Shipard's football journey began at age six at the Wagga Wagga PCYC. Her Olympic dream required a family sacrifice, with her mother moving to Sydney so a young Sally could attend a sporting high school. Her dedication paid off, leading to a celebrated career with the Matildas, including playing in the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Upon receiving the news, Shipard immediately texted her family. Later that night, her partner Davis embraced her and said, "Little kids are going to play on Sally Shipard Oval." For a community and a sporting pioneer, it is a fitting and hopeful new beginning.
