LUCENA Deakin is still coming to terms with her new title: World Champion.
The one-time rookie touch football player and her Athelite Australian Emus mixed 30s team-mates took on the rest of the world at the Federation of International Touch World Cup in Nottingham, England, in July and beat them fair and square.
The round-robin knock-out series climaxed with a hard-fought 10-9 finals win against New Zealand.
Deakin, who grew up in Moree with her parents John and Malou, and siblings James and Tracey, first picked up a football in 2007 as a 16-year-old at boarding school, to “make up the numbers”.
Fast-forward to 2024, and Deakin is still trying to get her head around the fact she has worn the cherished green and gold for Australia – and won.
“The experience has been surreal,” Deakin said.
“I feel as though I’m dreaming when I remind myself I’m now a world champion. I am honoured by the title and grateful for the opportunity.”
As Deakin grounded try after try against the rest of the world, friends, family and complete strangers back home were cheering every side-step of the way.
“I was overwhelmed with the support from the Moree community, with amazing words of encouragement and love,” Deakin said.
“Thanks again for the support and love. The Moree community gave me a lot of motivation and fuel to get this outcome.”
Lucena Deakin back home with husband, Steve, father John, and children, Austin and Florence (Image Supplied).
To add to an incredible tour, Deakin was presented the Coach’s Award, chosen by team coach and mentor, Danny Goodwin.
Deakin also topped the try-scoring tally for her squad after trailing team-mate Carly Walsh throughout the series.
Deakin scored three ‘meat pies’ in the heart-stopping one-point win against New Zealand, and touched down 28 times overall in 10 games – one clear of Walsh.
“I am forever grateful to my coach Danny, assistant coach, Jay, and manager, Missy, for their guidance and mentoring throughout the tournament,” Deakin said.
“And to receive the coach’s award . . . just ‘wow’. I’m lost for words because it wasn’t expected by any means.
“There is no better feeling to know my hard work and determination was recognised. I’m feeling very blessed,” she said.
Goodwin said Deakin’s selection for the coach’s award was not based exclusively on her on-field performance, or because she was the team’s try-scoring machine.
“I gave Lucena the coach’s award because of how she conducted herself, not only on the field in the way I coach, but for the person she is off the field as well,” Goodwin said.
“Lucena is just a beautiful human.”
(from left) Lucena Deakin, team captain Kelly Goodwin, coach Danny Goodwin, Cassie Vincitorio and Ben Hones (image supplied).
In June, Deakin was an unknown touch footie player from the Sunshine Coast, where she lives with her husband, Steve Gill, and their children, three-year-old Austin and one-year-old Florence.
Her parents, John and Malou, are nearby.
“I was a rookie coming into this tournament, so when I was thrown a bone of opportunity I had to dig deep and really test my skills to demonstrate to my peers and coaches that I deserved to be there – what an outcome,” she smiled.
“And what about my team – what a bunch of bloody legends. To think I will never play with this team again brought tears to my eyes, but we achieved greatness and I’m good with that,” Deakin said.
The Emus mixed 30s worked hard for 40 long minutes against a gallant kiwi outfit to scrape home by the skin of their teeth.
“What a bloody game,” Deakin said.
“New Zealand really know how to turn it on when the gold medal is up for grabs. Full ‘props’ to them – they are true professionals and took us on in great spirit.
“I’ve never had to play under such intense conditions before, where we played with our hearts on our sleeves and dug deep for an outcome.
“The hardest part is keeping your composure under such pressure – we did it though,” she grinned.
The one-point win came after a week-long competition that saw the Emus mixed 30s advance to the finals with wins against Wales (14-2), United States (17-2), Samoa (11-3), Hong Kong (21-nil), Germany (10-5), France (14-4), England (13-3) and Cayman Islands (17-nil).
After giving Chile a 15-0 drubbing in the quarter-finals and beating England 15-4 in the semis, they met New Zealand to decide which side of the Tasman the cherished gold medals would find forever homes.
Lucena Deakin touches down for Australia (image courtesy of Touch Football Australia).
Deakin, currently on maternity leave from her job with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, plays with the Coolum Blue Fins Touch Football Association.
She was overwhelmed when selected to represent Australia at the World Cup.
“I would have never in a million years thought I would be selected to represent my country for the sport I love,” she said.
“I am extremely proud of my accomplishment, particularly after having two children. They were my motivation to show them what hard work and dedication can get you.
“Not everything stops when you have children,” she smiled.
Deakin said her dreams came true thanks to the loving support from husband Steve, a self-employed carpenter on the Sunshine Coast.
“Steve has been an endless support. He holds down the fort when I’m participating in local competitions, or travelling for high-level competitions and weekend training camps,” Deakin said.
“If it wasn’t for Steve’s support, I would not be where I am today.”
Australia retained overall World Cup honours after winning 12 finals in 13 divisions, including the women’s open (6-2) and men’s open (9-6), both against New Zealand.
The team’s only loss, 4-3 to New Zealand, came in the men’s 40s final.
Incredibly, Australia has won the Touch Football World Cup every year since its inception in 1988.
The series, with 39 countries competing this year, will be hosted by New Zealand in 2028.
“I’ll definitely put my hat in the ring for the next World Cup in New Zealand,” Deakin said proudly.
Words: Bill Poulos
Images: Supplied
