Local Legends: Libby unites South Melbourne community

Libby Petty is truly one of a kind. She is a British expat from South London who has come to Australia and fully immersed herself in community footy since the moment she arrived.

Libby joined the South Melbourne Districts Football Club (SMDFC) as a player in 2018, only the second year of the club’s women’s program. She quickly became an integral part of the South Melbourne women’s footy community, achieving her 50 game milestone in 2023 and continuing to play each week in 2024.

Over the past six years, she has taken on a number of official roles including team manager, communications committee representative, social media manager, merchandise coordinator, bar staff, Vice President and President. There is an even more extensive list of unofficial duties that she has taken on simply for her love of the club and the football community.

In 2021, the SMDFC held its inaugural Pride Round, which was a direct result of Libby’s passionate advocacy at all levels of the club. Along with another club member, Tess, Libby spearheaded the entire endeavour, including organising decorations and special Pride Round playing guernseys, along with involving local businesses and raising funds for a local Victorian Pride Centre.

Her work to establish a Pride Round sparked important conversations about inclusivity at the club, and each year since, she has continued to lead the Pride Round, with an increasing focus on education and smaller initiatives to promote inclusion throughout the year.

In 2023, in response to feedback from the players, Libby led a small community group to plan and execute an inaugural Indigenous Round at the SMDFC. The group consulted with the local land council, organised a club cultural education session through the Koorie Heritage Trust, commissioned a local artist to design an Indigenous guernsey that will debut later this year and raised funds for Melbourne Indigenous Transition School (MITS) in Richmond.

Nikola Sowry, the Senior Football Vice-President at SMDFC said that Libby goes above and beyond to ensure that everyone involved in the football club feels welcome regardless of their background.

“Libby is truly one of a kind! Our club and community are better because of her. She’s always the first to raise her hand for anything we need, and often, she’s already taken care of it before anyone else even notices,” Nikola said.

“Libby never seeks the praise she so deserves. She’s our biggest advocate and cheerleader, and the driving force behind making our club the warm, inclusive space we’re all so proud of today.”

“Very few people know exactly how much Libby puts into this club, but the few of us that do are in awe of her, and grateful for the club community she has had a huge hand in moulding.”

Libby is leading the way in promoting inclusion at SMDFC and AFL Victoria is thrilled to be able to recognise and applaud the important work she is doing in community football.

AFL Victoria’s Local Legends initiative aims to recognise the local heroes who are the lifeblood of their local clubs and communities.

Whether it be a coach, player, umpire, local business owner, administrator or volunteer, AFL Victoria wants to celebrate the people who are the backbone of community football clubs. Community football clubs simply could not survive without those who are willing to show up each weekend and make sure that the game goes ahead, crowds are well fed, players are supported and success is enjoyed.

Nominees for the AFL Victoria Local Legends initiative can be anyone who is involved in a community football club in any capacity, whether it be paid or unpaid, directly related to the game or a behind-the-scenes super star, these legends are who make community football what it is.

Do you know someone with a great story like Libby's? Nominate them now.