Melbourne Victory member, Tarni Tsimeris, has experienced the highs and lows of supporting the Club since joining the movement.
Tarni had been living interstate when Ange Postecoglou’s Victory caught her eye.
Since relocating to Victoria in 2015, Tarni has spent her time following Victory – making lifelong friends and memories along the way.
Active support
“Football and Melbourne Victory offers a reprieve from what we’re currently experiencing in Victoria,” Tarni said.
“It offers familiarity and I’m looking forward to reuniting with people that I have known for five or so years.”
Tarni, who is one of Melbourne’s most vocal supporters in the North End, is excited by the new direction of the Club as the 2021/22 A-League season approaches.
“I’m excited by the renewed optimism among our fans,” she said.
“I’m also excited to see people around me fall back in love with the game and I’m looking forward to seeing a new grittiness on the sidelines and on the field.”
Tarni will soon play her part in the chorus of fans behind the goal at AAMI Park, when football returns in October.
“There could be thousands of us in one stand, but when we’re together it feels like we’re one person,” she said.
“When the team picks up or does something special, that energy is reflected by the crowd.”
Away days
Away from AAMI Park, Tarni recalls a trip to Sydney as her favourite match on the road.
“At the time we had Keisuke Honda in our team, so there was a heap of Japanese football fans supporting him,” she said.
Honda scored from the spot to secure a 2-1 win over the Sky Blues, a bittersweet moment for Victory and Tarni.
“It doesn’t get much bigger than away games in Sydney – being in the pub with other fans, walking to the ground and making as much noise as possible. It brings back great memories.”
“With away games, I think it makes such a difference to our players to see travelling fans” she said.
“They know the effort we have gone through to make it and some of us will have made sacrifices to get there, be it social or work arrangements.”
Tarni will continue to support Victory in 2021/22 and has already joined the movement.
