Howdy! My name is Zabreena and Im a former elite footballer now living with Post Concussion Syndrome and Probable CTE. This is my story…

My footy journey began in Auskick at just six years old. Not long after, I moved into the STJFL (Southern Tasmanian Junior Football League), playing right through from Under 8’s to Under 13’s with the boys — and occasionally filling in for U14’s and U16’s. I was the only girl in the league, but footy felt like home.

At 13, I was forced to stop playing with the boys and stepped straight into the only women’s league available at the time — the TSLW (Tasmanian State League Women’s). That same year, I represented Tasmania in the Senior Women’s State Team while still barely a teenager.

Between the ages of 13 and 20, I represented Tasmania seven times (4x U18’s and 3x Senior), the Northern Territory twice (U18’s), Vic Country once (U18’s), and Australia once. I was selected into the AFL National High Performance Academy, the Tasmanian Senior State Academy, the Tasmanian U18’s Academy, the AFLW Talent Search, and the AFLW Draft Combine — competing in carnivals across Australia, including an international carnival in New Zealand, before the AFLW competition even existed.

My name appeared alongside players like Taylah Harris and Britt Bonnici. I held records in the AFL High Performance Academy for Standing and Running Vertical Jump, and had the honour of being part of the generation that helped pave the path for women’s football today.

But being one of the first — and one of the youngest — came with its own challenges.

By 20, I had suffered seven diagnosed concussions (and likely more than 100 in total), five of which were off-the-ball king hits behind play. With years of experience under my belt, I often found myself competing against women who were just learning the basics of the game. My “footy smarts” and skill made me a target — something I ended up paying the price for.

To make things harder, AFLTAS had not budgeted for trainers in the women’s league, leaving many of us without the medical support we desperately needed. I regularly played out games concussed and survived Second Impact Syndrome — something not many people can say they’ve lived through.

Over the years, I earned multiple Best and Fairest and Leading Goalkicker awards, Premierships, and leadership roles within both club and state teams. Football was my passion, my identity, and my dream — one I chased with everything I had.

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The injury that changed everything

In 2018, a devastating on-field hit left me with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) — my seventh diagnosed concussion in eight years, and the one that changed my life forever.

Since then, I’ve lived with Post Concussion Syndrome and probable CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) — a progressive brain disease caused by repeated head trauma.

Initial brain scans revealed five lesions in my frontal lobe. Today, that number has grown to over fifteen, spread between my frontal and temporal lobes. I’ve been medically assessed as 15% permanently incapacitated, with a significantly higher brain injury score, and I’m now in the bottom 2 percentile for memory among Australians my age.

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The life I worked hard to build

Before my injury, I had built a life I was incredibly proud of.

By 20, I was a qualified Carpenter and Joiner, working 40–60 hours a week in a trade I loved. Soon after, I started my own successful business, covering the whole of Tasmania. I worked hard, earned respect, and proved that women could thrive in any industry with enough determination.

But when the brain injury hit, everything changed. My business, my independence, and the career I had fought for had to be let go.

Seven years later, I’m lucky to manage 15–20 hours of work a week before my symptoms flare. Even on good days, I battle daily headaches, memory loss, light and noise sensitivity, brain fog, migraines, dizziness, speech issues, weakness, nausea, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and sensory overload. These symptoms never fully switch off.

I’ve tried every treatment available — including an eight-week course of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. I couldn’t work during that time, and had to taxi to and from the hospital every day (around $70 each way), paid from my own limited savings. I did it hoping to improve my quality of life, but unfortunately, it didn’t help.

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Seven years of setbacks, and still fighting

The past seven years have tested every part of me. I’ve faced countless medical appointments, been denied NDIS multiple times, and after 18 months, my legal case for negligence was closed for being “too tricky.” Despite sustaining my injury while representing the game, I’ve received no support or follow-up from AFLTAS, the AFL, or Glenorchy FC after reaching out for help.

I’ve had to access my superannuation early under financial hardship just to survive — something I never imagined needing to do before turning 30. Even now, I rely on Centrelink, which leaves me earning below minimum wage. Every week is a fight to make ends meet.

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The accident that set me back again

On November 30th, 2025 — just as I had finally found some routine — life changed again.

At 1am, after finishing an 11-hour shift (including 3 hours overtime), I was driving home when another driver ran a red light. I reacted instantly, slamming my brakes and bracing for impact, but still collided at around 75 km/hr.

Police told me that if I hadn’t reacted as quickly as I did, one or both of us might not have survived. Both vehicles — including my beloved 75 Series LandCruiser — were written off.

The other driver walked away uninjured.

I wasn’t so lucky.

The impact gave me another concussion and additional injuries, triggering the worst neurological flare I’ve had in 7–8 years. I’ve now been forced out of work completely to recover — but with my history, recovery may take a long time… or may not fully happen.

This setback added trauma, financial strain, and a new layer of uncertainty to an already difficult journey.

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What this injury has taken — and what I’m fighting to rebuild

This injury has taken away things most people take for granted. I may never be well enough to raise children. I have limited energy. Socialising is difficult. Romantic relationships often fall apart under the pressure of my symptoms.

Despite everything, I’m determined to turn this journey into something meaningful.

I share my story to raise awareness around concussion and CTE, to advocate for athlete welfare, and to push for change in the way injured players are treated — not just during the game, but long after.

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Where I find strength now

My greatest therapy now comes from my animals — my dogs, Rocky and Zelda, and my horse, Frankie. When I’m with them, my symptoms ease. They ground me, calm my nervous system, and bring me a peace that medicine can’t.

I’m now working toward a new career in Animal Care and Veterinary Nursing, with hopes of specialising in Emergency, Wildlife, Exotics, and Large Animal GP. I want to build a future rooted in compassion, healing, and hope.

But recovery is expensive — averaging around $10,000 a year just to maintain basic functioning. With the recent car accident forcing me out of work, I can no longer afford these costs alone.

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Your support will help me:

See Specialists and continue my medical care

Start Physiotherapy

Undergo regular Light Therapy

Afford Medications & Adaptive support

Start Animal-assisted therapy

Access Home care and sensory aids

Begin study towards my new career

Manage my Home, garden and land maintenance

Reduce the financial stress of everyday living

Continue my recovery, regain independence, and build a future rooted in hope, healing, and purpose.

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This isn’t giving up — this is rebuilding.

I may not be the athlete I once was, but I’m still that same fighter — just chasing new goals in a different arena.

Asking for help is the last thing I ever wanted to do. I smile, I stay positive, I keep pushing… but most people will never truly see how hard it is behind closed doors.

If you cannot donate, please consider sharing my story.

Awareness is everything — for concussion, for women’s sport, and for those living with invisible injuries.

If you’d like to follow along, learn, or support my advocacy, my journey is documented on Instagram and TikTok: @thelifeofzab.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for helping me work toward healing, independence, and peace.

With love and gratitude,

Zabreena ⛰️