After loving every moment of her time in the stands this year, Josie Di Maria has signed up as a Sydney Swans member for the first time.
Di Maria, who only started attending Swans games this year after discovering her sister Yolanda was also a passionate Swans fan, enjoyed her experience so much that she and four family members have signed up for Ultimate 11 memberships for the 2015 season.
Speaking to sydneyswans.com.au about her decision to ‘feel it in ‘15’ with the Swans, Di Maria said signing her family up as members was an easy decision.
“I have always followed the Swans, but I didn’t realise my sister was a big fan of AFL as well,” she said.
“I never really went to the games, but once we sort of found each other, we just kept going to the games.
“We then found out that actually getting a membership is cheaper than paying all the money to going to all the individual games.”
Not only has Di Maria converted her sister into a passionate Swans member, she has also attracted her eldest daughter and mother to the game.
She has also even convinced her furriest family member to show her support in 2015.
“My dog is a member, and her name is Cheeky,” she said.
“She’s a big Swans fan, don’t you worry!
“She looks good in our beanie!”
Di Maria, who is also a lifelong St George Illawarra Dragons supporter, said the atmosphere at the SCG was among the best she had ever experienced.
“It’s the atmosphere, it’s incredible.
“I’m a St George supporter too, which is funny because they are both red and white, but the atmosphere is just totally different to NRL.
“It’s amazing. You go to the games and you just feel fantastic to be there.”
She added that the Swans’ round 21 win over St Kilda, which saw star forward Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin kick nine goals in his milestone match, was her favourite game of the 2014 season.
“I certainly did have a favourite game, and it was Buddy Franklin’s 200th game,” she said.
“That was excellent seeing him kick all the goals.
“But every game I’ve been to this year has been fantastic.”
