“I wanted to have a go at experiencing what my friends were experiencing. Now I’ve had it, and I can now go back to happily playing in the W-League — it’s just a matter of pursuing a club.”

It seems increased investment in the game over the years, combined with a rise in females’ interest, has risen the quality of female football in Australia.

Tobin asserted the standards of the NPL and W-League competitions had improved in the five years since she began her professional career.

“When I first started, there were quite a number of young girls who simply came through the football programs,” she said.

“Whereas now, the younger girls are better than we were at their age because they have the Football NSW Institute and Future Matildas programs. They train far more than us, and they’re all very quick and strong.

“I think the pace of the game has picked up … and the NSW NPL would be the best state league in the country because there are quite a few professionals travelling interstate to take part in it.”

 

Cool socks and cool hats for cool girls

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Outside of football, Tobin is currently studying a Bachelor in Occupational Therapy at Australian Catholic University, North Sydney campus.

It was by no means her first choice, yet has evolved into something she is passionate about.

“I always wanted to go into healthcare, but I didn’t want to be a nurse because of the lifestyle with shift work and other demands,” she said.

“My Mum suggested occupational therapy; I didn’t know much about it, to be honest, but I had a couple of aunts who’ve done it and told me I’d enjoy it, so I thought, why not?”

“It’s been super challenging, but I’ve enjoyed it. It’s always good to have something to fall back on as a career option … but I do love football so much, so if were was a job there which could sustain me in the future, I’d look into it.”