On December 16, 2008, the Auckland Football Federation announced the six recipients of the inaugural AFF Long Service Medals, and I was delighted to be among those named, primarily in recognition of my twenty-one-year involvement in the women's game. It's a bit of a worry when you're receiving such things before you've turned forty(!), but I accepted the honour on behalf of all the girls, because they've all contributed towards it. The only thing I've had to do is translate their endeavours into words, something which has been, and continues to be, an absolute pleasure. That said, there's a select group of women whom I hold in the highest regard, both as players and, every bit as importantly, as people, who have made a particularly significant contribution towards this honour. Individually and collectively, they are my prime inspirations, prodigious talents who are such outstanding role models for our sport via they example they set on and off the park, and who, on it, possess that "X factor" - the ability to create a moment of magic which sets them apart from their peers, and makes them the special players they are. My name may be on the medal and certificate pictured, but there's no doubt in my mind to whom the real credit belongs. Some of the finest players to ever sport the silver fern over their heart, and a few who have yet to savour that pleasure, but are tremendously talented footballers nonetheless, have made highly significant contributions towards this recognition. I couldn't have achieved this without some of my best friends in the game, and I take great delight and pleasure in acknowledging their contribution to this award. Thanks, cherubs!