As Gema Simon went from field to field in Tamworth over the weekend, she couldn't help but smile.
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Here for the National Primary Games, the Newcastle Jet went around to watch the various sports being played and also met plenty of players.
"It's been pretty fun and the kids have no filter so it's actually pretty entertaining when they ask questions," Simon said.
"It's nice to get out in the community in the off season... just see the kids playing because they enjoy it and because they just love playing football. It reminds you of why you started playing football."
Simon could relate to all the youngsters getting around at the event run by the Northern Inland Academy of Sport as well.
A big focus for her at the moment is enjoying her football.
The Armidale-born and Newcastle-raised footballer is just coming back from knee surgery in March and each small step forward is something to savour.
"I just started running again which is exciting," Simon said.
"That's why it's even more exciting being here because I'm at that stage again. I'm excited to kick a ball and run around."
She knows the tough stuff is just around the corner, though.
Simon is hoping to return to play in August with APIA in the NPL and then with Newcastle in the W-League later in the year.
"It's exciting for the first couple of weeks then you realise how much work you have to do," she said with a laugh.
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There might not be many pre-seasons left for Simon, either.
The footballer said she probably only has a couple seasons left and was "looking forward to life after football".
"I want to continue to do a lot of stuff in the community and hopefully get some stuff going with the indigenous side," she said.
"There's just a massive gap."
"I've been working with the Jets and Northern NSW to organise an indigenous clinic in the next couple of weeks which is really exciting."
Another project she is a part of at the moment is an Indigenous boots design competition.
Simon will pick the winner and have the design painted on her boots which she will wear during the first W-League home game of the 2021/22 season.
"That's a big thing for me. I'm really excited and looking forward to being able to represent my culture while doing something I love," she said.