Brenda Lang was awarded the Darebin Life Membership at the Senior Presentation Night on 17 October, 2025.
Vice President Jas Hirst described Brenda Lang as someone who truly embodies what it means to be a Falcon.
Someone who has played every sport this club has to offer. Soccer, footy, cricket, even 8-ball — if the Falcons fielded a team, Brenda was there. As Ange said, if there was a marbles team, she’d have given that a go too!
Brenda’s involvement runs deep : across codes, seasons, and generations of teammates. She’s the kind of person who not only plays, but is the lifeblood of the club. She encourages everyone to take part, help out, and show up, whether it’s community days, sausage sizzles, tidy-up days, AGMs, or presentations. Brenda also served on the Falcons Committee from 2010 to 2014 as a general member,
helping to steer the club through busy years of growth and competition. Her practical approach and reliability made her a valuable part of the club’s leadership both behind the scenes and on the pitch.
On the field – or pitch, or oval – Brenda has been indispensable. In soccer, she’s number 8 with the bandana, that strong, vocal presence in the backline. Mostly a sweeper, she chases down every ball, though she’s had her moments up front too.
You’ll always hear her voice cutting through the noise: “Up we go!” or “No bounce!” her signature messages to keep the team switched on and ready to head the ball.
She’s also been a teacher and mentor, passing on everything she knows about the game. As her coach Jill said, Brenda played a big role in injury prevention — setting up warm-ups, helping players look after themselves, and taking new or younger teammates under her wing.
She’s the glue that holds a backline together, and the teammate who makes sure everyone feels included.
Joining the inaugural Falcons Over 35’s team, Nippy joins the community of Aussie Rules footballers. She played in the 2023 Premiership side, Runners up in 2022, and marked her milestone 50 Games in 2025.
In footy, her nickname is Nippy, and it fits perfectly. She is also true to her soccer for in footy, kicking the ball along the ground. Often causing her teammates to cry ‘Pick up the ball, Nippy!’.
Lambie remembers a time after a footy game where Brenda lost a tooth. So after losing the game, the whole team Emu walked the field looking for the tooth. Fortunately it was found by an eagle-eyed 4 year old.
In Aussie Rules, Nippy brings her fitness, great kicking boot and a keen sense of where the big sticks are, ready to pop up with a handy pocket goal.
For Jas personally, one of her favourite Brenda sayings will always be: “Stick your foot in, Jazzy!”
Usually shouted just as Jas was running next to a striker, hesitating a bit too long!
She’s also known for her practical wisdom and trademark advice: “Put Vicks on your feet in winter. Menthol keeps them warm. Vaseline keeps them dry.”
As Ange said, we don’t really do nicknames in soccer, but if we did, Yippy or Yappy would be spot on, because she’s that vocal, steady presence who keeps everyone focused and together.
And then there’s cricket, where Brenda has been a stalwart whenever the Falcons have had a team.
A regular through the ups and downs, from the tough seasons when numbers were low, to the glory years when the Falcons were unstoppable.
She’s played since the 2008/09 season *70 matches* contributing with bat, ball, and in the field:
- Best bowling: 2 for 29
- 12 catches
- And a long list of premierships:
- VWCA T20 Premiers – 2009/10, 2012/13, 2014/15
- VWCA One Day Premiers – 2008/09, 2009/10, 2014/15
- NWMCA Premiers – 2020/21 and 2024/25
And true to form, Brenda doesn’t just play, she supports. Two years ago, when our Under-14 cricketers played a grand final away from home, Brenda went along to cheer them on. They were so thrilled someone came to support them, they still talk about it to this day.
Through all of this — soccer, footy, cricket, 8-ball — Brenda Lang has shown what being a Falcon really means: commitment, care, community, and joy in the game.
She’s played, led, mentored, supported, and cheered. She’s helped build this club and strengthen its spirit.
And perhaps most importantly, she’s an example to us all, a reminder that staying active, staying connected, and staying in sport is possible at every age and stage.
Brenda shows us that when you love the game, and the people around it… anything is possible.
It was fitting that the Presentation Night for the club included the combined soccer and footy senior teams, and was hosted by the W Club, Melbourne’s new venue for fans of women’s sport. On the big screen at the back, two current Life Members, Lauren Arnell and Daisy Pearce, coached Port Adelaide and West Coast Eagles to victory in their respective AFLW games.
Life Membership is an award of significant distinction to recognise special, meritorious, or exceptional service made by individuals to the Club. Life Membership is the highest honour that can be bestowed by the Club and is regarded with prestige by members of the Club and recipients alike.
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