A South West football player has made club history by running out to play her first league game alongside her three daughters.
Mikaylah, 17, and twins Abby and Zoey Dawson, 14, joined mum Kelly Bevis on the field for their beloved South Bunbury Football Club on April 23.
The following weekend, Kelly and Mikaylah played together again, Abby and Zoey ran water for the women's team and brother Maxx, 12, was the game's goal umpire.
Ms Bevis's children have been involved in football for a few years and she recently became the coach of her younger daughters' year 8/9 team.
"I'm also a part of the junior committee and I organise the club merchandise with my partner," she said.
"So we're pretty heavily involved on that side of the club and then last week, I was asked if I would like to give playing a go. And I thought, 'why not?'"
Keeping up with the young guns
Despite being a little out of her comfort zone, Ms Bevis described the experience of playing alongside her daughters as being full of emotion.
"I was trying hard to not have a heart attack because I am not the fittest person yet," she said.
"But I'm there giving it a go and having the opportunity to play with the girls is amazing."
Ms Bevis also celebrated her 40th birthday the weekend of her first game and said there were perks to playing alongside her children.
"I think there was one point when I had get down to the backline fast and Abby was next to me and I said 'you've got to go because I am not going to make it'," she said.
"So I made her run for me.
"Coaching the girls can also be challenging but it's very rewarding and I have great support from other parents who have been guiding me."
Women's team is a family affair
Ms Bevis and her children aren't the only family units that have donned the red and white South Bunbury uniform recently.
Vice captain Diaz Emerson played alongside her mother Kasey, which coach Berend Kaaks said was also exciting to see.
But he said he was particularly pleased to see Ms Bevis play alongside three of her children.
"I'm here to facilitate women getting the opportunity to play football and to see a mum run out with three daughters — it was obviously a really proud moment for Kelly but it was a good moment for the league," he said.
"To see a family going out and playing footy like that together; it's community sport and that's what we're here to drive.
"It's about making sure that women know these opportunities are available to them and that they can come and have a kick in an environment where everyone's welcome, regardless of experience or ability."
Eldest daughter Mikaylah said playing alongside her mum was only slightly nerve-racking.
"I was a little bit worried about her running out and getting hurt," she said.
"But I'm proud of her for having a go, getting a few touches of the ball and a couple of tackles. It was good."
Even though she has a pile of red and white uniforms taking up space in her laundry each week, Ms Bevis said she wouldn't have it any other way.
"I joked around, saying I think I should just set up a bed in the back [of the clubrooms] because I'm here so often," she said.
"I kind of get a bit depressed when football season finishes.
"Every other night there's training or a game or something going on but I love it, I wouldn't change it."
