A YOUNG girl from Corinella is bound to put on the big V and represent the state in August, when the Victorian Girls Under 12s team competes against other states and territories in Adelaide. 

At 12 years old, Beth Grenness is already cementing herself as a star of the future, playing for the Kilcunda-Bass under 12s team.

The Bass Valley Primary School student isn’t just a footballer, according to her parents Kelly and Tim, who spoke with the Sentinel-Times last week. 
“She plays literally every sport at the school, there’s never a week that goes by where she’s not going to regionals for athletics, she’s an amazing athlete with everything surprisingly,” Kelly said.

Having showcased her talent, the year 6 student was nominated by her school to participate in the Victorian girl’s football team trials. 

“She’s just a sturdy demolition machine with her tackling, she’s amazing at tackling and doesn’t have any fear and she’s got a whopping left foot,” Tim said.

“She can go out there and mix it with the boys and half the time she comes off better in the tackles than they do, and she has two or three other girls on her team, and they love it whenever she tackles everyone.”

Playing in the midfield and through centre half forward Beth has turned herself into a gun on the field, but despite being a superb footballer, she has remained humble, according to Kelly. 

“She’s a girl of very few words, when people give her compliments, she doesn’t know what to do with it, she’s very very humble,” Kelly said.

“When people recognise her at the footy club, she’ll say to me later ‘gosh I’m so famous now,’ she’s very confused on why people know who she is.”
This shows how extremely well loved and respected the rising star is.

She is also Bass Valley School Captain as well as co-captain of her beloved Panthers, and has been known to inspire her teammates with her play. 
Beth has a terrific supporter base although, she does need more help in order to make it to Adelaide.

“For Beth (she’s looking forward to) flying on a plane for the first time, but number one, if you asked her, she’d say, ‘I just want to play footy,’ and that’s all that matters to her,” Kelly said.   

“I don’t think she understands the gravity, we’ve tried to explain to her that only 23 kids represent the state, she doesn’t realise how good she is.

“I think she wants to do this for a career for sure, if she could just play footy for the rest of her life she’d be rapt.”

The star midfielder is destined to make waves in Adelaide, however, with the opportunity comes a list of expenses such as uniforms, club fees, flights, accommodation and transport to and from games. 

As Tim and Kelly are both self-employed, they also don’t receive holiday pay, so they have set up a GoFundMe and Facebook page to support Beth on her journey.

When asked how the community can pitch in, Kelly stressed how great of an impact supporting kids in sport can have on their health, especially post-COVID. 

“I work in mental health, and I honestly think, the number one thing the public can do to help is by actually supporting their own kids to get out and actually play sport again,” Kelly said. 

“In terms of helping Beth personally, even a message of support would be great, because while the finances are amazing, the actual messages of support are just as amazing for her.

“I’ve been reading her messages that people have been leaving for her on Facebook and her face lights up, I don’t think she realises the impact she has.

“The anxiety of kids at the moment is at an all-time high and what’s an evidence-based support for helping kids with poor mental health is exercise and it’s socialising as well.”

Tim and Kelly also gave their thanks to those who’ve supported Beth so far. 

“A big thanks to the community and the Kilcunda-Bass footy club, Bass Valley Primary School, all of those that have reached out to support, she really feels held and supported which is really important for kids like Beth.”

You can support Beth on her football journey by sending donations to GoFundMe Fundraiser by Kelly Bettridge : Support Beth to play U12 State AFL in Adelaide (gofundme.com)

Or by sending messages of encouragement to her Facebook page, Beth Grenness