Perth RedStar‘s New Zealand international Renee Leota speaks to Ben Gilby about her footballing journey and achievements with the Football Ferns and her 250+ games for Northern Redbacks/Perth RedStar as the club prepares for this Saturday’s NPLW WA Top Four Cup Final (14/9/23).
Above: Perth RedStar legend Renee Leota holding off the Fremantle City defence this season. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Robbie Anderson.
Renee Leota is one of a group of players at NPLW WA club Perth RedStar who have made over 200 appearances. The former Football Fern is a club legend and still going strong in 2023.
Leota has been playing football for as long as she can remember. “I was young! Under eights or something. My uncle and aunty got me involved. My uncle Barry played competitively growing up and I started playing at the club he was coaching at. I joined the team for some fun and haven’t stopped playing since.”
The period from 2006-2008 saw Leota make a series of incredible achievements with appearances for the senior national side, playing at the U20 World Cup and Olympic Games, all between the ages of 16-18.
“It was massive for me. I was focused and determined to be better and do better during that time. I had to make some pretty big sacrifices at a young age and I remember during Year 11, I missed around 138 days of school. I was away from my friends and family a lot. That was because of my commitment to training camps, and travelling with the team.
“My strongest memories from that period are the friendships. We were a close-knit team. Training and our daily schedules were intense around our life commitments, but that was just how it was. The downtime we had we just had a laugh, chilled out, watched trashy TV, and became like family. I valued that downtime and the friendships that were formed.
“The places I travelled to and places I played at. I visited places I’d never dreamt of. Played in stadiums and fields that I’d seen in pictures. My family are Kiwi through and through. Putting on the Fern was massive to me. It was an honour to represent my country and play in the Fern. Also receiving all the gear was a nice highlight too. Haha!”
All that travel eventually culminated in a relocation to Western Australia – over 5,000km away (3,200 miles plus). Leota explained how it came about.
“Growing up everything was centred around soccer. I guess it was time I wanted to do something different. I wanted a change. Much to my mum and dad’s disappointment. They would’ve preferred I went over east (New South Wales or Victoria), somewhere closer to New Zealand.
“But I wanted to go somewhere where I had some family. And WA seemed like a great option. I contacted Northern Redbacks (now Perth RedStar) when I decided to come for a visit to decide whether I’d stay or not. I did two training sessions with them during my visit and I enjoyed it!
“I love my Northern Redbacks family. When I moved here I had no friends. No community. No sense of belonging I guess. Northern Redbacks provided that for me. Instantly. And they were always there making sure I was doing okay in this new place. I’ll always be grateful to the likes of Tim, Dave, and Neil, I couldn’t be more grateful.
“It’s why I’ve never left. I will always be a Northern Redback! They’re whanau (Māori language word for the basic extended family group) to me! I don’t want to play anywhere else – I want to play with my best mates. I want to play for people who value their people and their community.”
Leota has experienced many highs with the club, but last season’s record, winning all four major trophies available and going on a long unbeaten run was right up there.
“Yeah, it was massive. It was a fantastic feeling playing week in and week out and just winning. We love winning!
“I personally played the role of ‘impact player’ and I loved my position within the team playing as an impact. I come on (when the other team are tired) I bring an energy and an impact that is dangerous, and I make it contagious, my teammates feed off that and it was great to have that role within the squad. I think Carlos (Vega Mena, Perth RedStar head coach)’s philosophy and approach really made a positive impact.”
Now at the age of 33, Leota is still having a major influence on the players around her at Perth RedStar, and if the Kiwi has anything to do with it, she’ll be pulling on the red shirt for many more years to come.
“Basically, I’m going to keep running until I pretty much can’t anymore. I’m an old gal now and the body doesn’t move as quickly anymore but I’ve still got plenty left in the tank. I also highly value my soccer brain and I’m still five yards ahead upstairs I believe, so continuing to bring that to my game and sharing that knowledge, expertise, and experience with the younger girls coming through the club is important to me. I enjoy sharing that at the moment.”
Perth RedStar are looking to end another impressive season with victory in Saturday’s NPLW WA Top Four Cup Final against Perth SC at the State Football Centre.
“If we continue with our momentum, there’s no stopping us. That’s our goal! That’ll make me happy. That’ll make us happy!”
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