Brunswick Zebras FC has long been a passionate supporter of women’s and girls’ football, with roots stretching back to the 1980s. At a time when opportunities for female players were still limited, Mercy College Coburg art teacher Noel Bruzzese helped pioneer the club’s early commitment to the women’s game. He established a team made up largely of students from his school, creating not just a pathway into football, but a strong sense of community and belonging that would become a hallmark of the program.

That early side quickly made its mark. Through dedication, talent and a shared love of the game, the team rose through the ranks to compete in the Victorian Women’s Premier League – then the highest level of women’s football in the state. Along the way, Brunswick Zebras became a nurturing ground for players who would go on to achieve at the very highest levels of the sport.

Among them were future Matildas Melissa Barbieri, Louisa Bisby and Nicky Leitch, all of whom developed their games at the club. Barbieri, in particular, would go on to enjoy an outstanding international career, earning 86 caps for Australia and being appointed Matildas captain in 2010 – a testament to both her ability and leadership. Cathy Minniti represented Australia at U19 level in a three-test series against New Zealand, and former Zebra Caitlin Friend also proudly represented her country at both U17 and U20 level, further highlighting the strength of the club’s development pathway.

The club’s contribution to the women’s game extended beyond the national team. Former Zebras players Gabby Angelucci and Daniella Di Giammarco were part of Victoria Vision in the original National Women’s Soccer League, and Natalie Bruzzese, at the age of 16, won the open-age Premier League Best and Fairest award. All of these contributions helped shape the early landscape of elite women’s competition in Australia.

In 2024, Brunswick Zebras FC celebrated the 30th anniversary of its first senior women’s team – a milestone that reflects decades of commitment, progress and achievement. Today, the club continues to build on this proud legacy, investing in the growth of its female football program and ensuring that future generations of players have the same opportunities to thrive, compete and dream big.

In 2003, the football world was full of headline moments. AC Milan triumphed over Juventus in the UEFA Champions League, Manchester United claimed yet another English Premier League title, and David Beckham made his much-publicised move to Real Madrid. But far from the global spotlight, in Brunswick, a different kind of football story was quietly beginning – one that would come to mean just as much to those involved.

That same year, a group of determined, spirited women came together at Brunswick Zebras FC to form a team and enter the lowest division of metropolitan football. Many were new to the game. Some arrived with little more than curiosity and courage, setting aside the hesitations of everyday life to try something entirely outside their comfort zones. It was, in every sense, a leap into the unknown.

Their coach, Paul Connolly, would later reflect on those early days with a mix of humour and admiration. Before their first match, the team gathered in a modest, cold dressing room, feeling both nervous and exhilarated – unsure of what lay ahead, but certain that something meaningful was about to begin. What followed was not just a season, but the start of a remarkable journey.

Affectionately known as “The Mighty ‘Bras”, the team grew together over the years that followed. Through early challenges, steep learning curves, and plenty of hard-fought matches, they built something far greater than a win-loss record. Friendships were forged, confidence was discovered, and a strong sense of community took hold.

Connolly’s book, The Mighty Bras: Winning isn’t everything – a suburban football story, captures this journey in full. While it centres on the team’s 2009 season, it also reflects on the six seasons that came before and the years that followed – charting the evolution of a group that began as complete novices and developed into a competitive, united side.

More than just a football story, it is a celebration of grassroots sport and the power it has to bring people together. The women who pulled on the Zebras shirt during those years came from all walks of life. Many had never played organised sport before, yet each embraced the challenge, discovering not only a love for the game, but a deeper connection to one another.

In time, their efforts would culminate in success on the pitch, including a State League 3 North-West title – an achievement that spoke to their persistence and growth. But as Connolly himself suggests, the true measure of the team was never just in the results.

It was in the journey they shared, the barriers they broke, and the enduring bonds they created along the way. Because, as the story of The Mighty ‘Bras’ so warmly reminds us, winning isn’t everything – but being part of something meaningful just might be.

The Mighty ‘Bras in action on Sumner Park

The year 2026 marks 20 years since the return of senior men’s football to Brunswick Zebras — a decision that reshaped the club and restored a pathway that had been missing for nearly a decade.

Following the 1997 split between Brunswick Zebras and Brunswick Juventus — with the senior licence ultimately becoming part of the Bulleen and Box Hill Inter structure — the Zebras committee made the deliberate decision to operate solely as a junior club. The separation had been difficult, and many long-serving members were determined not to see the club’s resources stretched or compromised again.

For years, the club resisted calls to re-establish a senior men’s side.

But the absence of a senior men’s pathway soon became a growing problem. Strong junior teams would progress through the age groups, only to reach 17 or 18 years of age with nowhere to continue at the club. Talented players who had grown up at the Zebras were forced to leave simply to keep playing senior football.

By 2005, former president Peter Venditti believed the situation could no longer continue. He began holding community meetings to gauge support for the return of senior football, despite ongoing hesitation from some within the club who remained wary of repeating the difficulties of the past.

The defining moment came later that year on a cold night at MacAllister Oval on Park Street.

The club’s Under 18A side — a group that had played together for years, including at Super League level — met with the committee to make their case. Players including Mark Roca, Phi Pham, Joe Luca, Paul Montagna, Steve Tirabassi, and Nick Epifano spoke passionately about their desire to remain at the club. They were willing to start from the very bottom of the pyramid in Provisional League 3 if it meant staying together as Zebras.

Their message was simple: they were lifelong Zebras, and they did not want to leave their club to play senior football.

After considerable discussion, the committee agreed to support the formation of a senior men’s team — the club’s first since the 1997 schism.

Behind the scenes, significant work was undertaken by Peter Venditti, Fab Montagna, Lou Bavcar and John Luca, who helped manage the administrative and organisational demands required to relaunch the program in 2006.

From the beginning, the players also established a culture that would become central to the club’s identity. They made a pact that a Zebras player should always contribute more to the club than they take from it. That commitment to volunteerism and community became a defining feature of the senior program, which would go on to raise more than $200,000 through fundraising and club initiatives over the following two decades.

The inaugural coach of the relaunched side was John Tirabassi, who led the team in the Thirds competition before the club officially entered the Provisional Leagues in 2007.

Twenty years later, the decision to bring back senior men’s football is recognised as one of the most important moments in the club’s modern history. It restored the pathway from juniors to seniors, strengthened the club’s identity, and helped build the culture of contribution that continues to shape Brunswick Zebras today.

The 2011 senior men’s team celebrating their Provisional 3 NW league championship.

For many players, Brunswick Zebras FC has been more than just a place to play – it’s been the beginning of lifelong friendships, unforgettable experiences, and a deep love of the game. For Laura Lana, that journey began as a 13-year-old stepping into the club’s Under 14 girls’ team, at a time when female football was still finding its footing.

Those early years were defined by passion and resilience. The team, captained by Daniela Bolomo and coached by her father, was tight-knit and driven, navigating a competition that was still developing and often demanding. With only a small number of teams in the league, long away trips were the norm, and recognition within the broader football community didn’t always come easily. But what the group lacked in resources, they more than made up for in spirit.

The team with coach Claudio, famous for his words “on your bike, on your bike” to send players running down the line.

When Daniela moved on, Laura took on the captaincy herself, leading the side through to her final season in the Under 17s in 2000. It was a period marked not just by growth on the pitch, but by moments that would leave a lasting imprint – none more so than an unforgettable trip to Italy to compete internationally. For many involved, it remains one of the most cherished chapters in their lives.

Opening ceremony, Coppa Italia Rimini 1999.

Off the pitch, the setting was humble. Training took place on a simple patch of grass on Victoria Street – a far cry from the facilities the club enjoys today. Yet it was in these modest surroundings that strong bonds were formed and a sense of belonging took root.

Looking back, Laura reflects on a time that was as challenging as it was rewarding. Being part of one of the few girls’ teams in the competition meant pushing for recognition and carving out space within the club. But it also meant being part of something important – helping to lay the foundations for the thriving female football program that exists today.

It’s a legacy built not just on results, but on the determination of players like Laura and her teammates, who embraced every challenge and, in doing so, helped shape the future of the club.

An important chapter in the club’s recent history was marked by the retirement of four long-serving players: Phi Pham, Mark Roca, Liam Gallagher and Paul ‘Monty’ Montagna.

Each contributed more than 20 years in black and white, forming part of the inaugural senior squad following the senior men’s relaunch in 2006. Liam, the youngest of the group, stepped into senior football in 2009 as an under-16, beginning a senior career that would span more than 15 years.

Collectively, they amassed over 100 years of playing service at the club and were recognised with four David Baker Awards, reflecting their consistent excellence and commitment on the pitch.

Beyond the honours and appearances, their legacy is defined by loyalty, camaraderie and a deep connection to the club. Across generations of players, they were central figures in the Zebras community – leaders, mentors and lifelong teammates whose influence extended far beyond match day.

Their contributions remain an enduring part of the club’s story, representing the values and spirit that continue to shape the Zebras today.

Rob Colla holds a special place in the history of the Brunswick Zebras, remembered as a much-loved member of the club and a driving force behind the growth of its girls’ and women’s football program.

Joining the club in 2004, Rob dedicated the next 16 years to developing and strengthening the program, helping to build a pathway that continues to benefit players today. His influence extended well beyond the teams he coached, as he mentored many young coaches and contributed tirelessly as a volunteer and committee member.

Rob was also known for his willingness to step up wherever needed. In 2006, he made a memorable appearance in the senior men’s side, lining up in defence despite being considerably older than many of his teammates – a reflection of his commitment and club-first attitude.

He is remembered for his energy, kindness and passion for the club. Rob’s contribution remains an enduring part of the Zebras story, and his legacy continues to be felt across the community he helped shape.