Having made the move into the Coburg women’s program for season 2023, ruck Bree Unthank is excited about the step up.
Unthank is one of many new recruits for season 2023, signing on from Northern Football Netball League Division 1 side Greensborough.
New senior women’s coach Tom Chitsos said he was impressed with the impact that Unthank has already had on the playing group.
“Bree has done a fantastic job early on integrating with the group and on the track has displayed her outstanding athletic ability,” Chitsos said.
“Coming from a running background we know she’s going to be a valuable addition for us moving forward this season.”
Having made the move from a side close to Coburg, Unthank recently said that it’s been an enjoyable experience so far in preseason.
“The support is second to none at the club, there’s so many coaches, it’s a big difference coming from Greensborough,” Unthank said
“(It’s a) bit of a step up in regards to training, but a much wanted step up so it’s been good.”
She’s also had no problem fitting into an unfamiliar group.
“I came knowing only one girl who played at Greensborough and ever since I’ve come I can’t fault the girls, they’ve been nothing but supportive…
“Fitting into a group is easy at a club like Coburg given everyone’s inclusive and regardless of your skill level there’s no straying behind if you stuff up anything or you’re unsure and all that.”
Being guided by new coach Chitsos has also been enjoyable for Unthank so far.
“He’s passionate about ensuring that everyone’s up to scratch and that if anyone’s having a bad day it doesn’t rub off on anyone else but also that we’re all there for each other if someone is having a bad day.
“I think that he’s a good fit because he’s a mixture of being able to have a good joke with us but then he’s able to pull our attention it needs to be in to make sure we’re doing the drills properly.
Unthank has only played two seasons of footy, both of which with Greensborough, saying that it was a family member that got her into it.
“I came from a basketball background, I played until Under 20 championship level. Then I ended up living overseas and spent most of the time traveling so I didn’t really play any competitive sports.
“It was actually my sister that recruited me at Greensborough, saying how she thought I would love football and I should give it a go, adding ‘I know you’ll just pick it up and you’ll annoy me by doing so’.
“I went down, tried out and fell in love with the sport.”
The athletic Unthank has also been running on and off the past 10 years, adding that running calms her down.
“I did the Melbourne Marathon in 2018 and then just continued in footy seasons working on my running, making sure I was able to run the whole game if needed because at Greensborough I pretty much played Ruck without being subbed.
“This year one of my goals was an under 20 minute 5km, which I managed to tick off at the start of this year by putting myself through an eight week program I found and committed to it.
“I’ve got a bit of an addiction to always getting better and I just love running because it’s one of those things where you can go on a run, it’s like my meditation from my stressful job or it enables me to tune off and run in the moment.”
To join Bree and enter #LionMode in 2023, please head to www.coburgfc.com.au/membership and become a member today!
