“Soccer has always been my biggest love,” she says. “It’s like a magic rectangle that you get in and you forget about everything.” Whether it be in Brazil or Australia, Marcela “Marci” Marques has always loved football.

It wasn’t until she was 20 years old, when Marci got her own car and could drive herself to her first training session in Brazil. “That’s the first time I actually ever played for a team,” she says. Before this, she spent most of her time playing on her own, practicing and polishing her skills by juggling a tennis ball. “I always dreamt about wearing shin guards, you know, something simple like that.” 

“For me every time I go to training or play [in Melbourne], it’s like the closest I would ever get to my dream… I don’t need much more than that,” she says. “It doesn’t matter when or where, I just love the game.” Marci shows endless  appreciation of all opportunities that have  come her way. 

Growing up a football loving girl was challenging. She explains that football  was generally seen as a men’s sport in Brazil. However, Marci didn’t care and continued to play with the boys on lunch break. “I studied at a school that I had to use a specific type of shoes that when I played soccer with the boys, my mum would know because they became marked… I would always get in trouble,” she says. 

Having never played 11 a side football before moving to Melbourne 15 years ago, it took some adjusting for Marci. She arrived with her partner and they have continued to share in their love of football  by playing together ever since. 

The first football club that Marci joined was South Melbourne FC. She speaks highly of her time with the club, evident through her six years of loyalty. The high intensity of​​ the top tier . was a challenge and an environment she had to adapt to. The skilful and attacking-minded Marci found her feet, even scoring the winning goal in the 2011 grand final. 

From when she first started playing in Melbourne to now, Marci has grown a lot as a player and person. “I always try to look back and remember how I felt and my doubts and my lack of confidence, because now I think I’m a confident person,” she says. “I know what I'm capable of and I know what I’m not good at… you don’t have to be good at everything.”

After playing with the elite side, Marci moved to community side South Yarra for another five years, and now finds herself playing with Essendon Royals SC. The team came close to knocking out reigning Nike F.C Cup champions Calder United in the quarter finals earlier this year, conceding with only minutes remaining to lose 0-1.

Marci appreciates playing at a club that has created a positive environment and platform to build support for their female teams. “I really like it because they have a really strong women’s soccer culture,” says Marci. After resurfacing their new ground, the women were first to play on the pitch. “Anything we ask for the girls, they try to make it happen.” 

Marci’s warm and welcoming nature helps her as a leader, on and off the pitch. She is approachable and supportive to the younger girls, which is vital when captaining a side. “I’ve always had that leadership trait in my personality… it is something that is just natural.” 

Outside of football, Marci works in the police force. Her career lends itself to her responsibilities as a captain, as both roles involve leading by example. “Your integrity, your honesty, the way you behave, your leading by example.” 

Marci showcases many inspiring qualities, and acts as a role model to young women. This perhaps poses the question of whether coaching is a consideration for the future. “I’ve been thinking about it,” she says. However, she admits it’s a big role to take on, through managing people’s expectations and influencing young players. “I remember every single coach I’ve had… I think it’s such an important role.” 

When it comes to the future of women’s football, Marci displays great excitement. She talks about the beauty of the game and how “it brings people together”. Her role model is Brazilian footballer, Marta Vieira da Silva, who has played such a pivotal role in uniting and representing women in the sport. Marci speaks in admiration and awe of what Marta has achieved, and is adamant that upcoming female footballers follow in her footsteps. 

Marci, more often than not, has a smile on her face, especially when she’s around football. Her bubbly personality is infectious and it is clear she just loves football for what it is. There is no doubt that Marci will continue to be a role model for those around her. Her love for the game is raw and unique. “I always say it’s the love of my life, because it never faded away.”