For this week’s ‘WA On Wednesday’ feature, Hyundai NTC’s Violet Longmore talks to Ben Gilby about her footballing journey from Margaret River to travelling three hours back and forth to the bright lights of Perth as part of the NTC set-up (17/4/24).
Above: Violet Longmore (left, gold shirt) holds off Perth SC’s Poppie Hooks last season. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Violet Longmore.
Violet Longmore is one of Hyundai NTC’s latest batch of talented teenagers who are producing consistently impressive performances in the NPLW WA this season. Hailing from the beautiful wine-producing region of Margaret River, Longmore has come a long way – both in terms of travel and development – in recent years.
The defender describes herself as “quite calm and patient but also a player who loves to be on the ball, and I love to win one-v-ones, especially when up against very tough and fast wingers,” began by detailing her footballing journey.
“I first started playing football in Margaret River when I was five all the way up until was 13, and that’s when I decided to trial for the U14 NTC team, and to my surprise I was selected even despite being a country player.
“As a full-time player in the U14s and living in Margaret River, I was travelling to Perth three times a week (a three-hour there and three-hour back trip), having to miss lots of school, and doing my homework in the car, but it was a sacrifice I was willing to make.
“I did this for two years for the U15 NTC team also. When I was accepted into the U19s NTC NPL team in 2022, I decided it was the right time to move to Perth and make the full commitment. I have now been in the U19s (now U18s) team for three seasons. This will be my last year in NTC before I age out of the program.”
The process of selection for the state NTC side is a tough one, but even more demanding when factoring in the additional pressures of being based outside of Perth – something that Longmore emphasised: “There were many trials which were quite daunting being a country player and having to match the Perth players skills and performance.
“I’d say once I made the U14s team, the trials got harder and harder each year as you have to try and break into the next age group, especially with different coaches who don’t really know you as a player.
“There were open trials where so many girls attended, after that, it became invite-only. Emails were sent out saying whether you were asked to come trial for another or not, receiving that acceptance to the next round was almost a dream for me as I never thought I could make it being a country player who lived three hours away. After the trials were complete it was basically a waiting game to see if you made it or not.
“My biggest challenge as a player so far would be making the move from country football to metro football. There was a massive jump in training environment and quality and also the opposition being much stronger.
“It was definitely a big jump for me personally and a lot of sacrifices were made. I moved to Perth and left my small hometown, my friends, and school. Having to move to a new school knowing no one and pretty much start over.
“Then there was getting injured at the start of 2023 in the Night Series, and missing the first half of the season, after coming from a very good pre-season and then missing out and having to push myself back into the mindset of playing again and not being afraid.”
Come back Longmore did, and she was part of last season’s successful team that won the State Cup and also made the season-ending Top Four Cup. The defender played alongside a number of players who subsequently went on to earn A-League Women contracts. Seeing friends go and achieve this recognition has inspired the young defender even more.
“Our 2023 squad was one to remember. We had a mix of older and younger girls, but it was the most bonded team I had been a part of. Playing with the likes of Georgia (Cassidy), Grace (Johnstone), Lilly (Bailey), Tanika (Lala), they really stepped up and pushed all of us younger girls to work hard and work for each other, they set a good example of what can happen in just year all being signed for Perth Glory.
“I think for me, it’s made me realise I can be one of those players who gets a contract, really making me push myself this year, always training the best I can and putting in the extra work.”
Like all NTC teams in the various state NPLW competitions, the Western Australian one is full of teenagers who go up against experienced, seasoned opponents each week – some of whom have considerable A-League Women experience. It’s a baptism of fire both physically and mentally, but one which Longmore knows stands her in good stead.
“It’s really tough. Being such a young team playing in the NPL competition up against many experienced players, it can be scary. I do get a bit nervous when I come up against the likes of Jamie Duncanson who is strong, fast, and a dangerous player.
“Dealing with it all comes down to your own confidence, knowing you’re here and in this team for a reason. Physically, we are a smaller team that lacks a bit of physicality, but I think once you step out onto the pitch you can match them and you put everything in to win the ball and play good football.
Whilst it’s early days in the season, Longmore’s NTC side has won all three league games so far and the defender sees some positive signs emerging as the team looks to bond together a new crop of players for 2024.
“The opening round against UWA-Nedlands (in which Longmore scored), we dominated the ball and played good football, though it would have been nice to finish with more goals which we deserved with the way we played. Throughout pre-season, Ben (Anderton, head coach) has been really reinforcing our principles and the way we like to play and it definitely showed in the UWA game.
“This pre-season I’ve been working really hard both in the gym and on the training pitch, and for me scoring that goal was a real win, as its something we have been working on in training, and for it to work out was amazing.
“At training, you try and take any piece of advice you can, especially with such a big squad where everyone is trying to learn. I’ve really taken all the information I can get from Ben, State, and especially Tommy who helps a lot with us defenders.”
Whilst Longmore’s footballing career is still in its embryonic days, she has big dreams, but given her succession of impressive displays for the NTC side, there is absolutely no reason why she cannot achieve them.
“For the future, I’d love to sign an A-League contract at the end of this season, though there are many players in the NPL wanting the same. It would also be a dream to go to a national camp but you never really know as it depends on your performance individually and in a team, so I think for me, I just have to keep working hard and putting in the extra work to hopefully achieve these goals.”
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