Sport
5 June, 2026
Curtis reaches 100th
Carisbrook Lady Redbacks footballer Tara Curtis reached a major milestone last Sunday, playing in her 100th career game.
With her spirited performance in Carisbrook’s valiant 16-point defeat to East Point, Curtis joined a very exclusive club of local women’s footballers that includes teammates Olivia Butler and Quetta Holloway-Jinks to achieve the historic feat.
It’s a moment Curtis said has been fuelled by a lifelong passion for the sport.
“When I was growing up as a kid, I always loved watching footy and wanted to play myself, but there were no junior clubs back in that time,” she said.
“It’s awesome to see how much the women’s and even junior football has developed.
“At the age of 23, I decided to step outside of my comfort zone, try something new, do a bit of exercise and make new friends.”
Curtis started her footballing career in 2016 playing for Redan in the final season of the Victorian Women’s Football League.
After the club joined the AFL Goldfields Competition, Curtis played in three consecutive Grand Finals with the Lions, helping them win their first-ever open-age premiership in 2018.
After her mother’s passing, Curtis wanted a change to try to fall back in love with the game. That change came in the land of the Lady Redbacks, joining Carisbrook for the 2023 season.
“I love playing footy out at Carisbrook. The culture and the atmosphere there is always so welcoming and that’s what’s kept me in the game to get to this milestone,” Curtis said.
“The Butler family all have such a strong passion for making everyone feel included and for getting around football.”
After ending the 2024 season on 96 games, a combination of injuries and work commitments meant Curtis waited nearly two years before reaching triple digits.
When the day finally came last weekend, Curtis said she was filled with mixed emotions.
“I had some highs and lows about it, obviously not having mum there to sort of be a part of it, but I was nervous the night before just knowing the spotlight would be on it,” she said.
“I just put them aside and just went out there and did as well as I could. Having my family there to watch as well as playing against my best friend on the other team made it that much better.”
Even after a century of matches, Curtis said her fiery passion has remained unwavering.
“I play pretty much for the love of the game that I’ve had my whole life and having my family be there as a support and the teammates that you make for life from it,” she said.