Nicole Campbell always admired the Crows culture... Now, she’s part of it.
Campbell’s sporting career began on the soccer pitch, playing the game for most of her life and even representing South Australia.
But in the last few years, she began to lose her passion for the sport and switched to football in 2017, playing for Christies Beach.
Her coach at Christies was an assistant coach for Norwood in the SANFLW and invited her to trial for the 2018 team.
Campbell made it, and from there her path was set.
The 25-year-old played in a losing grand final with the Redlegs, before swapping to South Adelaide for the 2019 season, playing well in the backline all year and going on to win the premiership.
Her quick rise was complete when she was drafted by the Crows with their third pick in the 2019 AFLW draft.
After being drawn to football because of the team environment and culture, she couldn’t believe she now gets to see it from the inside.
“The biggest differences between soccer and footy are the atmosphere, the environment and the culture,” Campbell said.
“The culture is especially different to soccer, it’s a more welcoming environment and it’s mostly built around friendship and team, whereas soccer can be more of an individual sport.
“I’m super excited to be a part of the Crows’ culture and learn what it is like at this level.”
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Campbell, who works as a correctional officer in a men’s prison in Adelaide, and her family have always been big Crows supporters.
“My dad is a massive Crows fan, he went to every single game for years and years,” Campbell said.
“He brought me along as a little baby dressed in my Crows outfit.
“Football has always been a part of my life, just watching it and going to games.
“And now that I can actually play it, it’s even better.”