DARCY Vescio is a veteran when it comes to women's football.
On this week's episode of the Behind the Game Changers podcast, Vescio details her journey to AFLW, beginning with the first exhibition matches against Bulldogs and Melbourne.
What Vescio didn’t know starting out was the impact she could have off the field as well as on it.
“I remember it was before AFLW started and I was sort of coming to a bit of a fork in the road and thinking ‘maybe I should focus a bit more time into design work’,” Vescio said.
“The role made me realise it’s not just playing that gives you fulfilment, it’s all the other things around it and the people you can help.”
The role that Vescio is referring to is the Multicultural Ambassador role with the AFL, a role she was offered prior to the beginning of her AFLW career.
“To be honest, initially when I got asked I was like ‘oh, I’m not even multicultural, why are you asking me?’,” she said.
“I realised it’s how other people see you as well and it’s all the little things you experience that are normal to you that might not be normal to other people.”
Big week, big name.
— Carlton Womens (@carltonfc_w) February 6, 2020
This week @sarah_hosking10 chatted to @darcyvee about all things season 2020 and the road that led her here. ??
Listen now! ??#BoundByBlue
With both Chinese and Italian heritage, Vescio didn't consider the possibility that she would appear different within her sport.
After being offered the role, she began to see how voice and unique background could make an impact.
“They showed a picture of the Seven commentary team, the umpires and the AFL captains and they were all just versions of the exact same person,” she said.
“Why would someone who looks a bit different look at that and think ‘oh that’s the sport for me?’.”
Vescio got on board with the role and immediately felt the positive impact she was making.
“I think visibility is a really important thing either with AFLW just seeing women in sport or seeing multicultural faces,” she said.
“It was just about elevating different people and showing people that they can be part of the game in whatever capacity.”
As she goes into her fourth season of AFLW with Carlton, Vescio is now recognised as a powerful ambassador for the sport who advocates for change and acceptance of everyone.
