Perth Glory’s Natalie Tathem describes a typical day balancing football with her job as an occupational therapist.
People often see the 90 minutes we play on the weekend and think that is the whole story, but being a footballer is so much more than that. The early mornings, hours of training, recovery, video analysis and for many of us a second job to earn a sustainable income.
Nearly 70% of A-League Women’s players work a second job to support themselves financially as our contracts typically run for only nine months of the year. Many reduce their hours during the season but that often means longer and more exhausting days split between two demanding roles.
Here is what a typical day looks like for me as both a professional footballer and an occupational therapist. My schedule changes constantly depending on whether we have a home or away game and how many clients I have booked in for the week. With no set routine, planning each week becomes essential.
6:30 AM – Rise and Refuel
My alarm goes off at 6:30 AM. It is an early start but necessary. Breakfast is all about fueling my body properly. Nutrition plays a huge role in performance and recovery. I work closely with our club dietitian to make sure I am getting everything I need.
7:30 AM – Training Facility & Video Analysis
By 7:30 AM, I am at the training ground. We usually begin with a video analysis session at 7:45 AM. We review our last match, celebrating what we did well and identifying areas for improvement. We also prepare for upcoming fixtures and opponents. These sessions help us grow tactically and better understand the game.
8:15 AM – Pitch Session
Next, we hit the field for training. These sessions are high-intensity and focus on technical drills, tactical work and individual skills. Sometimes, I stay back afterwards to work on specific areas like footwork or set pieces.
10:15 AM – Gym Session
We move straight into the gym for strength and conditioning work until around 12:30 PM. It is physically demanding but vital for injury prevention and maintaining peak performance especially during the busier parts of the season.
12:30 PM – Lunch & Travel
This is my only real break during the day. I grab lunch, recover and get ready for my second job. It is a tight turnaround.
2:00 PM – Occupational Therapist Shift
At 2 PM, I start work as an occupational therapist, something I genuinely love. I support people recovering from injuries or illnesses and help them return to doing what they love. As an athlete, I know the importance of recovering well from injuries. Some days I work directly with clients, while others involve writing detailed reports.
My hours vary. Some shifts are three hours and others can stretch to eight. When reports are due, I may be working until 10 PM. It is not sustainable long-term but like most ALW players, a second job is essential to make a living.
8:00 PM – Dinner & Wind Down
If I finish work early, I head home and cook a nutritious dinner. This is also the time used to unwind and catch up on day to day tasks and errands. On late nights, I barely have time to eat. I am lucky to be an ambassador for Lite n’ Easy which makes meal preparation quick and easy. Often, there is little chance to wind down as I go into preparing for the next morning’s training. Rest is important but not always guaranteed when you are balancing two careers.
Why I Do It
Being a female footballer in Australia is not just about playing the game but it is about being part of something bigger. We are building the women’s game. We push for better pay, working conditions and fighting for the recognition we deserve.
We are not just athletes. We are role models, advocates and, trailblazers. The work we are doing now will hopefully make it easier for the next generation of young girls dreaming of becoming professional footballers. If we had the opportunity to be full-time athletes without needing second jobs, we could focus entirely on improving ourselves and lifting the standard of the game.
It is not an easy life but I would not trade it for anything. Every late night and every early morning matters. I am proud to be part of this journey for myself and for the future of women’s football in Australia.
