Women's Fitness
This month, we couldn’t decide on one Woman to Watch… because both of the ladies you’re about to read about are absolutely amazing. So we decided to feature both. After reading their stories, you’ll know why. Enjoy!
Name: Jasmine Ferguson
Location: Melbourne, Victoria.
What you do: Professional AFLW player and part-time private practice physiotherapist.
Jasmine (Jas) Ferguson is a Professional Athlete for North Melbourne AFLW and Physiotherapist, a key defender and known for her ‘strength, composure and ability to read the play’. Prior to her footballing career, Jas has worked with kids in community sporting programs, including netball and football clinics. A highlight of her community work involves volunteering at the Royal Children’s Hospital on behalf of her North Melbourne AFLW team.
Jasmine, what’s one thing you want EVERY woman to know about Football?
Football is just as much for women as it is for men. Don’t compare apples with oranges, women’s football is not the same as men’s football. It’s different and it should be different, celebrated for the differences as well. If you want to be a part of something great, that’s growing in support every year, and you want to be accepted for who you are, you need to join a women’s football team.
What’s been the most challenging part of your career, and how did you overcome it?
Rejection. Through my football career and netball career I have had my fair share of rejections from teams, including not being drafted to the AFLW for three seasons. It teaches you the importance of persistence and never giving up. Use the rejection as your fuel to keep pushing and getting better. Once you succeed or achieve your goals, the rejections make the hard work feel worth it.
How do you amp yourself up for a match?
I find sticking to a routine gets me ready for games. Getting to the ground two hours before kick-off, setting my uniform out, getting out on the field and then executing my skills, if I am able to complete this routine right I’m stoked. That’s of course complemented with some music, I prefer old school sing-alongs. A little bit of Beyoncé or the Pussycat Dolls and I’m ready to go.
Name: Ella Boot
Location: Cronulla, Sydney Boxing out of Bondi Boxing Club
What you do: Professional boxer
Ella Boot is the newly crowned Female World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver Belt Champion and current ANBF Australian Lightweight Boxing Champion. Dubbed ‘Australia’s baddest woman’ Ella made her professional debut in December of 2021, under the guidance and tutelage of the legendary trainer Johnny Lewis. At only 24, Ella is on a journey to becoming the undisputed Lightweight Champion of the world.
Ella, what’s one thing you want EVERY woman to know about Boxing?
Boxing is no longer just a ‘tough man’s sport’, there are so many incredible women reaching great success in boxing through their talent and skill as a result of their diligence and commitment to growth. I hope that women view boxing as a way of self-empowerment and belief within themselves. Boxing is a sport of discipline and resilience, something that can be taken into every area of our lives to improve and grow as people.
What’s been the most challenging part of your career, and how did you overcome it?
The most challenging part of my career would be in my third professional boxing fight where I was competing against an incredibly tough opponent for the Australian title. It was in the third round of an eight round fight I had broken my hand but I had to continue the fight in order to win. This experience showed me more about myself than anything could, I learnt to overcome temporary pain in order to achieve success. In that moment of realising my hand was broken and being in extreme pain I knew that this challenge wasn’t with my body but within my own mind.
How do you amp yourself up for a match?
Leading up to a fight I like to listen to music and surround myself with my amazing team, friends and family- the people who love and support me. I use visualisation and meditation regularly to get in the zone. I love feeling calm and relaxed so that I can be focused on what I need to do to win and perform my best.
For the full article grab the August/September 2024 issue of Women’s Fitness Australia from newsagents and convenience locations. Subscribe here.
