If a kookaburra is perched on the Netstrata Jubilee Stadium woodwork at any stage of Sunday’s Liberty A-League grand final, star Sydney FC striker Remy Siemsen will almost certainly spot it.
For smiling, goalscoring assassin Siemsen, kookaburra-spotting and surfing evoke special memories from one of the most painful moments of her life – the premature loss of her upbeat and popular uncle Brad Nichols.
“He was a healthy 33-year-old. First year of marriage with my aunt and expecting his first child, my cousin Josie. Unfortunately he’d finished a rugby game, and told my aunt he wasn’t feeling well,” Siemsen recalled.
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“Within five minutes he was collapsed and passed away. It was an upsetting time for me, more so for the entire family. He was one of those people you absolutely adored.
“This isn’t me telling a story for people to feel sorry for me and my family. It’s something that impacted me has had a profound effect on my journey as a footballer and person.
“I was grateful for the time I spent with him. I hope to carry out his legacy, he was such a good guy and had great character. He was such a glass-half-full guy. So funny, always up for a laugh.
“He always made time for people, regardless of his busy schedule. He made people feel seen and special. He was like the glue to our family, to lose him so tragically and unexpectedly was emotional.
“He was loved by many and he loved many.”
Uncle Brad’s impact was so profound, his memory remains as strong as ever a decade on from his passing.
Surfing on Sydney’s Northern Beaches alongside his brother, ‘Uncle Andy’ as Siemsen affectionally calls him, has become central to Brad’s legacy.
“My love of surfing began when I was four. My uncles bought me my first foam surfboard. I’ve always loved the water and ocean and I just found a hobby in that because of my uncles,” she said.
“We’ve always had really hands-on uncles. I’ve had the best childhood, and it means the world to me sharing a hobby like surfing, that he shared with Brad. It’s really special to continue sharing those moments in the water and remember my Uncle (Brad).
“They’ve been avid surfers their whole lives and I’m pretty fortunate to be living on the Northern beaches of Sydney so I’m surrounded by coast.”
Observing uncle Andy Nichols and Siemsen as they hit the surf, their special bond is evident. And he revealed that at times, he’s felt as though he was surfing with his late brother.
“The special thing for me surfing with Remy – when I’m out there with her, there’s characteristics in Rem that remind me of Brad, even just the look. Mannerisms that remind me of my brother,” Nichols said.
“It’s a really special time when we get out. There have been times I’ve been out in the water, where I’ve felt I’ve been out there with my brother, even though I’m out there with Rem.
“I know when Rem reflects on it, the memories of Brad come rushing back to her too, because there was a time when the three of us were all trying to surf and enjoy ourselves.
“Surfing’s been a major part of my life since I was a boy and that’s filtered through to the family. Remy’s been into surfing since she was single digits – my brother and I were eager to buy her her first surfboard.
“Rem lives up the road. Whenever she finds time in her busy schedule, we catch up for a surf. I’m really lucky we can still share in this special activity.”
The affection is reciprocated by Siemsen, with Uncle Andy’s connection and support extending beyond the surf.
“Ever since I was a kid, he’s given me the time. It’s so much fun, something we get to share together. I’ve always been pretty active person as well as my uncle and it’s really nice for us to do something that brings us both joy,” Siemsen said.
“To do something with my Uncle that he really loves and for me to get away from football and social media, it’s something really special we get to share together.
“I’m so fortunate to have the uncles I did growing up and Uncle Andy and I have such a special bond and like Uncle Brad, he’s been my no.1 supporter in everything I’ve done, any endeavour.
“I know that he’s my biggest fan – along with my parents. He’ll text me before every game, after every game with the pre and post game analysis. It’s so nice to have a close-knit family that are so supportive of my dreams and ambitions.”
The Matildas striker’s five goals, four assists and high work-rate leaves her as a huge threat, as she attempts to win her first Liberty A-League title with Sydney FC, after three grand final appearances, with the title-winning 2018-19 campaign coinciding with her brief stint at Western Sydney.
The kookaburras are a great omen for Siemsen as she prepares for Sunday, a rematch with Melbourne Victory, with revenge on the menu for the Sky Blues after last season’s loss.
“A lot of people that are really close to me will know that my family and I, when my uncle passed, my mum and I were driving one day and a kookaburra started laughing and we both said they reminds us of our uncle,” Siemsen said.
“He was always laughing, always up for a chat, cheeky, and kookaburras resemble that and they’re my good luck charm, I always look out for them on the way to games.
“They always seem to pop up in really specific moments. There’s been times when I’ve had a grand final, or a really important game or training session, and there’s one just sitting on the goalpost on the opposite end of the field.”
That positive spirit has helped Siemsen in her career, having debuted for Sydney five years ago, after breaking into senior football with WNPL side Manly United.
“It’s been a whirlwind. Football is one of many highs and many lows. The last few years I’ve achieved a lot of small goals and big goals I’ve set in my mind,” she said.
“The biggest thing for me is making my national team debut. I’ve dreamt of that moment since I was a four-year-old, representing Australia at the highest level.
“To tick that off, last year against Brazil in my home town, in front of friends and family, it was a dream come true and you couldn’t write a better script.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the highs and the lows, because it’s made me into the player and person that I am today.”
With the backing of major partners such as Liberty, Siemsen is adamant that women’s football will continue its steep ascent.
“Women’s sport in the country has gone forward significantly since I started. There’s more exposure and there’s real hype, having a World Cup on our doorstep in 2023 is encouraging the Australian public to get behind the Matildas, but also the A-Leagues and see where women’s sport is heading,” Siemsen said.
“I’d love to be part of the 2023 World Cup. And I want to become a better player and person.”
