As one of eleven siblings and mum of three, Stef Maric, mother of former Richmond player, Ivan, has had her challenges when it’s come to finding time for herself and being active.

Not long after arriving in Australia from Croatia with her family as a 10-year-old, a young Stef showed promising signs as a softballer, but finances and time challenges led to the workforce, rather than pursuing her love for sport.

Then came her own family and a fear born from a loss no mother should ever experience.

“I lost a baby and so with my other three, I had a fear of leaving them. It was more my fear not able to handle, I think, fear of separation. It stopped me from exercising. I stopped going when I had three little ones. It wasn’t easy organising myself and when the children were teenagers, I felt like a slave to the family, you know, I was always doing things for them. My children, my family were number one and I would always put myself second, where I felt guilty doing something for myself.”

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Ivan, a Tiger favourite, who retired from Richmond and the AFL in 2017, understands the genesis of his mum’s guilt, but is fully supportive of her desire to pursue her growing passion.

“If you look at the way we are culturally, as a family, I think that’s the number one thing for us, which is family first and I can sort of understand that guilt, in a way. But, you probably know this already, all the kids, dad, all support you,” he says to his mum.

With her children now adults and time on her hands, Stef pushed herself to break bad habits that had formed through years of inactivity, after a work colleague invited her to join their company team taking part in the Fred Hollows 60 km Coastal Trek in 2018.

“I worked out a little while back, stop blaming others and if it is going to be, it is up to me. Exercise is the best tonic. I love getting out – what I see, what I feel - I just take it all in and I love it. It fills me with joy!”

Recognising another colleague, new to Australia from Singapore, was struggling with social isolation, Maric invited her to join their team as a way to get to know her new friends and surroundings.

“So, we get to know each other outside work. Open up how we feel. So, that alone, makes me feel accepted, makes me feel I belong”, says Jeanette Lestor, who now regularly joins her friend on weekly training walks.

Each step helps foster a release from work and family life while for Maric, there is another goal on the horizon.

“I do have something in the back of my mind,” says Stef. “It’s the Camino Walk. Now, that is a bloody long walk!”

Surprised, but half expecting the rebel in his mum to set a new challenge, Ivan is quietly chuffed. “It’s been pretty inspirational to see the strength that you’ve shown and the discipline,” he says. “I’ve been really proud. So, well done and good luck.”

Replies Stef, “This Girl Can do what she sets her mind to do.”

Richmond Football Club is a proud partner of VicHealth’s This Girl Can Victoria campaign, celebrating women who are all kinds of active. Women who are giving it their all, or giving it a go, but not giving a damn!