Former Matilda Shelley Youman on learning when to walk and following your passion in business

I was born in Townsville but lived most of my childhood years in Gateshead, Lake Macquarie with my two sisters and brother, mum and dad. I was a very shy, under-confident child growing up with an alcoholic father, and domestic violence surrounded our household. My mum and dad were not great sports people but mum ensured I played the sports that I wanted to play and took me to training and games. Mum was, and still is my hero.

When did you begin playing for the Matildas?

I started playing football at the age of 10 and represented at the highest level as a junior. When reaching senior level I fell away from representing because you had to pay to play. It wasn't until football became a funded Olympic sport that I buckled down and trained hard. In between this time I married and had three children so by the time I represented Australia I was 27. The experience was a mix of emotions. Exciting, frustrating and also disappointing but I wouldn't change the sacrifice my family and I made. I wouldn't be the person I am today if I hadn't taken on the challenge.

You had an Australian Institute of Sport scholarship and three children under five. How so?!

This was difficult. The AIS certainly wasn't set up to cater for mums so I really had no support except for my husband. I was lucky enough to have a great husband who changed jobs to move the family to Canberra so I could train full time. He took on two jobs to make ends meet in this period. He could work from home when needed, which included the periods I was travelling for tournaments. Things are changing in this arena so I look forward to watching the progress of elite athletes being supported as mums.

Once off field, what was your career strategy?

I retired due to the constant injuries. I was 32 and had patella tendonitis in both knees and other injuries creeping in. I needed a new focus and challenge so with my husband's encouragement I decided to go to university.

Why did you study a Bachelor of Social Science, Advanced Diploma of Management, Business Admin and Management. Management, Social Sciences?

I wanted to do something to allow me to work in sport and recreation. At the time this was really the only choice apart form PE teaching at Newcastle University, and I did not want to be a teacher. I was lucky enough to be working in the sports industry while studying - that puts a little bit more purpose into your learnings. My other study was completed whilst I was in working in management. I believe study equips you to think critically and look at things from different angles. I also believe that it shows you can start and finish something.

You were regional manager with the Australian Sports Commission and GM at Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union. How did that build your skill-set?

My role at the Commission was probably where I had the most growth and I worked with some incredible people in the 10 years I was there. My role as GM at Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union was short lived. Working with an all-male board had its challenges and I think I was employed for the wrong reasons. They were certainly not ready to have a female GM and I didn't see myself as a puppet. I'm a strong believer that if you are not happy in your role you move on, so I did. I learnt from that role mainly what not to do in management. In saying this, there was some great people working hard for the clubs which I applaud.

You are co-founder and director of One Community. What does it do?

One Community is a leader in the disability sector aimed at supporting and connecting people with a disability and service providers. We run over 45 Ready-Set-Connect networking events nationally. We also have an app called Boosted which matches people to services right down to the day they might need the service.

What led you into the disabilities sector?

When I finished my role as GM at Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union I wanted to move out of sport and try something new. The NDIS had just rolled out and I wanted to work in an environment whereI could make a difference in peoples lives so I went down this road. There were so many gaps in the industry so my business partner, Kellie Puxty, and myself took the leap and started One Community. Kellie and I had worked together in different organisations for many years and we knew we would both bring a different skillset to One Community and work well together. I love working in this space as there is so much to do and it is rewarding - helping businesses grow in the industry and helping families, carers and people with a disability find the right services.

Advice to mums juggling careers?

It's not easy! One of the most important things is to enjoy being a mum. I thought I had to have a career to be someone, but I don't think that now. Have a good network of support, have a mentor that you can run things by and vent when you need to, have a good work/life balance. Don't be a superhero and marry well - you don't want to have to look after an extra kid!

Shelley Youman will speak at the Lake Macquarie Women in Business event on December 10.