Female Athlete Podcast, Episode with Beth Mason-Jones transcript

The Female Athlete Podcast, Episode: The pressure and privilege of being a goalkeeper with A-League premiership goalkeeper Beth Mason-Jones.

Introduction: Chloe Dalton 

This episode is brought to you by Victoria Police. Are you made for more? Search police careers to find out. 

Chloe Dalton 

After watching that insane penalty shoot-out at the FIFA women's world cup, I am so curious to hear from anyone who's been a soccer goalkeeper at a high level, and Beth Mason-Jones is exactly that.

Beth signed for Melbourne Victory at 19, claiming an A-League premiership in her three-year stint, before moving across to Canberra United.

Beth joined the Victoria Police in 2019 as protective services officer.

This show involves some incredible lessons Beth Mason-Jones has learnt about looking after yourself and your mental health, and finding the confidence to take a leap at some new opportunities.

There are some awesome stories in here, I hope you enjoy it. 

Chloe Dalton 

Beth, welcome to the Female Athlete Project.

Beth Mason-Jones 

Thanks for having me.

Chloe Dalton

To start us off, can you tell us a little bit about what you were like as a kid?

Beth Mason-Jones

Um, I was definitely actually a bit of a troublemaker. Um, I didn't really like following the rules or, um, I guess I liked to just do my own thing and didn't kind of stick with the status quo. 

So, um, it's pretty interesting now that I work in law enforcement, considering that's, that's kind of my, uh, how I was as a child growing up.

Chloe Dalton

It's quite a funny theme. We spoke to Rach in an earlier episode and she kind of described herself when she was younger as a basketballer, as a bit of a rebel. Is there a theme do you find with your fellow cops that that's sometimes where they then change?

Beth Mason-Jones

Um, I mean, I don't have a lot of friends that I had growing up that are in the job, so I can't really vouch for how they were growing up. 

But yeah, I guess you get you get similar kind of personalities and similar kind of sense of humour and all that. So, I can definitely see a trend like that in the police.

Chloe Dalton

Where was it that you first found your love for soccer?

Beth Mason-Jones

I played a lot of sports when I was growing up, um, basketball, netball, volleyball, cricket. Um, that's kind of all I wanted to do. Um, but I would say when I tried out for the school team and I was the only girl that got in, so I was kind of, you know, very proud of that. 

And then, um, that night I went down to the local soccer club, Croydon City Arrows and joined a team then and there. And I think that, you know, I got to that age round 14, 15, where I had to choose one. And that was the sport I was like, yeah, this is what I want to do. So I must've loved it to choose it.

Chloe Dalton

Was there someone in your life or someone that you'd seen like on TV or something that you felt like was part of the reason that you chose that?

Beth Mason-Jones

My family is very soccer orientated. My nana was from Liverpool, my mum's from England, and they're crazy Liverpool fans, and my brother obviously played when I was younger too, so we would go watch him play, and then I think that's probably why I tried out for the soccer team, because I guess because he played. So I would probably say there was definitely an influence there as to why I started.

Chloe Dalton

Does that mean you are a Liverpool fan? 

Beth Mason-Jones

Of course.

Chloe Dalton

Haha! Do you often get up, do you do middle of the night to watch the games? How committed are you?

Beth Mason-Jones

Ahh I love my sleep too much to do that to myself. Especially, I mean, I work shift work too. So if there is the potential to have a little squiz at the game or have a squiz at the highlights, I will do my best. But yeah, I do love my sleep. So.

Chloe Dalton

I feel, yeah, I am. I'm all about watching the replay in the morning if I have the choice. 

Beth Mason-Jones

Yeah, Optus sports is where it's at.

Chloe Dalton

Yeah, nice. How did you first start to work out that you could potentially play at the top level in soccer?

Beth Mason-Jones

I think I definitely got a bit disheartened around when I was like 17, 18, and I'd been in state teams but only as emergencies growing up. And I think I, I think because I got knocked back so much at that youth level, it kind of made me want to work harder and prove people wrong. That's something about me. If I set my mind to something and I'm going to do something and people tell me, no, I'm going to, I'm still going to find a way to do it.

Chloe Dalton

It's quite an interesting balance because I think like I played basketball as a kid before I transitioned to different sports and I was kind of that always that like fringe player at that higher level. And it's quite an interesting balance, right? Particularly for young people around whether they keep persevering and keep pushing through to get to that. So it's interesting that you can kind of, like look at it as something of you almost being stubborn and wanting to prove people wrong. 

Beth Mason-Jones

Yeah.

Chloe Dalton

What do you think it is like that drives you to do that?

Beth Mason-Jones

I think like at the end of the day, I just don't like other people defining me. 

Chloe Dalton

Hmm.

Beth Mason-Jones

And I think, you know, if someone tells me I can't do something and I don't like to think that, oh, you know, they've said that, so that's what other people are gonna think. So I want to show myself that, okay, well, if that's what they think, I'm gonna prove them wrong.

And I'm going to show them what I can actually do. And you know, what other people say isn't, isn't actually what is true at the end of the day.

Chloe Dalton

Hmm. How did you first get involved with Melbourne Victory, a team that's had a fair bit of success over the years?

Beth Mason-Jones

I actually had come off a season with Calder United in the NPL. And I think we'd, we'd won everything. We'd won like the team-up Nike Cup. We'd won the premiership, the championship, and I hadn't gotten a trial at an A-League club. And I was, you know, I was like, what am I doing wrong? Like, you know, I've conceded the least goals. I've been training hard. I've been working hard. 

And I ended up just emailing the coach myself. I said "hi, listen, I am a young keeper. I am just looking to be involved in the environment. I wanna train hard. I wanna be exposed". And they replied and they invited me down to a couple of trials. 

And they were actually gonna sign, they'd signed a goalkeeper, a first choice. And then they had already planned on signing a second choice. And that second choice ended up breaking her leg.

So they were like, "look, I've been really impressed with, you know, what you've shown at trials and we want to offer you a contract".

Chloe Dalton

That's a very cool story.

Beth Mason-Jones

Yeah, and then I ended up signing for Melbourne Victory and we had an international goalkeeper there at the time. And I think it was maybe three or four games in, she did her meniscus in the Melbourne Derby against Melbourne City.

And I ended up playing, which is something I didn't even expect at that time.

Chloe Dalton

What was it like to kind of go from having the courage to send the email, having to prove yourself and then getting your chance to play and feel like you deserve to be out there?

Beth Mason-Jones

I think it was all... I think I was just too... Like, I was honestly just very excited about getting to train to begin with and then getting a contract and then getting to play. 

I think it was just all... I guess I was just too excited about the thing that happened before to even worry about, you know, getting the contract or getting to play. It just all happens really fast and it was just all very enjoyable, honestly. A bit surreal, I guess.

Chloe Dalton

Yeah, that's really cool. And you guys, as Melbourne Victory, you're part of a premiership winning team. What's it like to win at that top level?

Beth Mason-Jones

Yeah, it's a good feeling, honestly. I mean, to win a premiership with them was really, really amazing. I mean, it's a top level in Australia. And I mean, to go from playing, you know, grassroots football to getting to play and win a championship in your country, it's, I don't know, you can't really, you don't really think about how big it is and how big the jump is. 

And I guess once you slowly keep working upwards and you don't really realize how far you've come in the end.

Chloe Dalton

How did it go from the success and the highs to a point where you may have fallen out of love with the game a little bit?

Beth Mason-Jones

I think I...I don't know, I think a lot of things just happened in my life personally. A lot of people around me that weren't very supportive of what I was doing and were really negatively impacting my mental health, which I think changed who I was as a person for quite a while.

And I think when you, you know, when you are going through a mental battle, you, a lot of people from the outside don't really know what's going on and it changes, it changes the way you come off and how you're perceived and stuff like that. And I think, you know, my vision on the game had changed a lot just because of the influences around me.

Obviously COVID also wasn't very helpful towards anyone. And not being able to play, I think really, really impacted people. And I guess it really impacted me too. But I think I got to the point where I needed a little bit of a break. 

And to change things up a little bit after I was at Canberra United and decided to go take a step back and continue to play. 

But at a bit of a lower level, a little bit less commitment so I can focus on myself. I can focus on, you know, I can give what that team needs without giving too much and taking away from myself. 

So I decided to go to Essendon Royals after Canberra and just played State One. I had a friend that was there and she gave my name to the coach and was like, the coach was like, "yeah, I wanna have this keeper with us". 

Like my friend was like, "yep, she's a great gal. She'll be really good for the team". And yeah, just signed on to Essendon Royals for 2021 season and we played State One and then got promoted to VPL. And that's where, 20, what year are we? 20... 

Chloe Dalton

It's tough to say 2024. Yep.

Beth Mason-Jones

I know. 2024. So no, 2022 is when I went to Essendon and played State One and then we got promoted. And then last year, 2023, we played VPL, won the league again. So next year, this year, gosh. 2024, we're headed into the NPL and we... Like, I'm excited.

I'm, I think I'm going back a few years to play at a lower level and just try and like find my love for the game, find, you know, try and, I don't know if it sounds cheesy, but find myself, like maybe not the old me, but a new me, a better me.

And so, yeah, now I'm ready, you know, I'm just ready to get back into NPL and work towards playing at that higher level again. So, yeah.

Chloe Dalton

It's really cool. And thank you for your vulnerability and sharing that. Cause I think that mental health side of things is obviously something that impacts people in their daily life. But it's just really interesting for an elite athlete, the way that it can impact your sport. 

Like I think I know for me, like when I've had my battles with anxiety and mental health, it's such, it's so all consuming a lot of the time. And sport can either be something where it's an escape or it can be something that it doesn't necessarily help it.

So it's a really cool thing that you've kind of worked out for you. You just needed to take a step back and find that love and find yourself again. Cause it's a, it's a hard thing to work out, right? You don't always know what the next best step forward is.

Beth Mason-Jones

Yeah, I think I was just in such a bad place for such a long time. And I think a lot of people didn't know that either. And obviously people can't don't know and they don't know how to help. And I mean, if you don't know how to help yourself being in that space, then it's really hard to expect anyone else to know how to help or understand what you're going through. But yeah, I it's all right. 

Like sport, soccer can be like a great escape. And it can be really helpful if you have the, you know, you've got the right coaches, you've got the right teammate, you've got the right club behind you to support you and be like, you know, "we've noticed you're going through things and, you know, we're here to support you and just hope, hope that you give, give us what you can and you give us, you give us what you, you give us what you can and we can give you that back", like.

So yeah, it's very interesting. If you're at the wrong club or you're in the wrong environment, it could just go the complete opposite way to helpful.

Chloe Dalton

Do you feel like there's anything along the journey that's helped you to now feel comfortable to speak about it or is it just been you kind of over time finding the confidence to have your voice?

Beth Mason-Jones

I think it's been about trying to find the right things to say. And I haven't, I've always kind of been like, you know, when you're in that bad place or you say too much or you don't say enough and I think it's just trying to find the right words. 

And you know, you don't need to give everything that, you don't need to say everything that you've been through or give all the details because that's personal to you and you can say a lot of stuff and. 

Ah, I'm trying to put this right.

I can say things, but I don't want certain things to be judged and that's, that's okay. 

Chloe Dalton

Mm-hmm.

Beth Mason-Jones

Like I know certain things can come out a different way to other people. Um, and yeah, I think it's just about saying the right amount and you don't need to share everything. It's just share about what you're comfortable with and what, what you feel like you need to say.

Chloe Dalton

Yup. And finding the right people as well to share with as well. 

Beth Mason-Jones

Yeah, the right people.

 Victoria Police careers: Chloe Dalton

 Chloe Dalton

And so where is your head at now with your football career moving forward? You sound like really excited. You've been part of these really cool promotions because the team's been really successful. I imagine not many goals have been led in with your current team, with the goalie.

Where's your head at now? Is it trying to return to A-League looking at other options?

Beth Mason-Jones

Yeah, so just been putting a plan in place the last maybe four months or so in terms of, you know, my training. So getting a new strength and conditioning coach, working with my old goalkeeper coach from Melbourne Victory, Jeff Olver. 

And, you know, just finding the right people and, you know, buying into their philosophy and how they want to they want to help me and getting them to understand how they can help me as well. 

So, yeah, just been training hard, working hard, focusing on my diet, and then also just working with work to say, you know, to make sure we're on the same page. And I've, my bosses have been great about, you know, supporting me and my goals and my dreams and what I want to achieve and just being open and honest with everyone. 

And it's been really great to see the support that I've actually received from work and yeah, so I'm really excited to, you know, be going back and working hard and seeing what this year brings.

Chloe Dalton

What does it feel like to potentially have the chance to get back to that top level when you're in a good headspace? Like what is it that's pushing you to get back there? Is it that you know that you've still got a lot left to give at that level?

Beth Mason-Jones

Yeah, I think I'm just, you know, I'm not happy with the way I've left my soccer career, I suppose. I know I've got so much more to give and I've got so much more potential, and I don't want to let, you know, my past or my, you know, what I've been through affect the way I exit. And so, you know, I'm still young, even though I don't feel as young as I probably should. 

But yeah, I just, you know, I've got a lot more to give. I've got a lot to prove and I just, you know, I'm hoping I get the support and I get that opportunity to continue to develop at that level.

Chloe Dalton

What does the conversation look like when you're doing shift work with the police to potentially go into a... Is it still pretty part-time, the A-League, progressing towards full-time for the women? On the right track? 

Beth Mason-Jones

It's definitely improved. 

Chloe Dalton

Yeah.

Beth Mason-Jones

Obviously the home World Cup for the Matildas was immense, I guess. Like it was just such a strong show of football for Australia. And I think obviously most of Australia has fallen in love with the Tillys and it's really good to see that, you know, we put on a show for them. 

We can, we can, we can play, we can do whatever we want if we've we're given the right support, we're given the right funding. 

And I think it's definitely headed in the right direction. And it is it is pretty exciting to see where it continues to go, especially after that home World Cup. And I'm yeah, I'm excited. 

I mean, if you look over overseas at the Barclay Super League where Sam Kerr and Steph Catley and Kyra Koonie Cross, like all those players, you know, I've played with them, I've played against them. It's just, it's amazing to see them, you know, finally getting what they deserve. And it just looks like they're living their best life over there.

Chloe Dalton

I want to chat a little bit about a bit more about the Tillies in that World Cup. Can you give us a bit of insight into what the A-League women's currently looks like for the players in terms of time commitments and trainings and things?

Beth Mason-Jones

I imagine it's pretty similar to the last time I was there. Um, I know that gradually and slowly the wages are increasing. Um, the time commitment, you know, you've got, you've got a train, you've got to travel, you've got to have team meetings, you've got to do all that stuff. 

So, um, you know, it is a full-time job, you know, and that's, but I still don't see it being treated like a full-time job because, you know in this climate inflation, you've got to be able to afford things and you want to be able to save for the future and you've got to protect yourself, but you also want to do what you love, which is why, it's disappointing to see the players, there was a player at Wellington Phoenix recently who she just couldn't do it anymore. 

It was too, was too rough on her financially and it's, it is such a shame to see that, especially after the World Cup, that, you know, players are still in that position that they can't just, you know, financially support themselves on A-League alone. 

But I guess at the end of the day, that's what the PFA is working towards is better conditions for us and better pay. And let's really just hope that, you know, in the next few years, it really does improve. And it's not a stress or a financial burden on people to do what they love, especially when they're that good at it.

Chloe Dalton

That's a great point. I reckon you hit the nail on the head. That idea of even if you're paid part-time, the expectations are still completely full-time. Like you can't just, even in your off season, right? You can't just completely switch off and decide to stop being an athlete because you'll get back in. 

Beth Mason-Jones

Yeah.

Chloe Dalton

I don't know what the fitness testing is like for you guys, but for us, we've got our, for AFLW, you've got a 2K time trial or whatever it is that you have to come back to.

Beth Mason-Jones

Yeah.

Chloe Dalton

It's so difficult when you've got these part-time contracts that might not be year round, when there's still the expectation that you are a full-time 12-month-of-the-year athlete.

Beth Mason-Jones

Yeah, especially if, you know, the season's what, six months. It's been a bit longer this year for the A-League, which is great. But I mean, if you only sign a one-season contract, what are you doing for that off-season? Are you coming back? Are you going to get a contract elsewhere? You just don't know.

Chloe Dalton

Yeah, there's so many question marks and it makes it hard to really plan your life outside of that. 

I have to discuss because I was thinking of you talking about being a goalie. My palms were so sweaty during that penalty shootout. How are you feeling knowing what it would have been like for Mackenzie Arnold to be in that position?

Beth Mason-Jones

I just think Mackenzie would have been like, that's it, this is my time. Like, you know, she's been a second keeper in the Matildas for such a long time. She just, she would have been nervous, but I think she just would have been like. I better not swear. You know "Stuff this shit", I mean. Oh.

Chloe Dalton

Hahaha!

Beth Mason-Jones

Ohh! Um, Oh, she just would have been like, "stuff this, this is my moment", you know. "It's my turn to prove that I'm here for a reason. That's why I'm playing". And, you know, she did that. And I think those are just kind of the moments, especially goalkeepers live for, because, you know, it is all on you most of the time.

Like, you know, you get an outfield player just taking one penalty kick, but you got to be in there for all on the other side of those other penalty kicks from the other team. So I think that's yeah, I think as scary and nervous as a penalty shootout can be, I think it's something I would live for.

Chloe Dalton

What is going through your head in that moment, like when your opposition players lining up to take their kick? What are you thinking as a keeper to prepare yourself? Obviously everyone's got their own different routines and things, but what are kind of the main things for those of us who have no idea?

Beth Mason-Jones

Um, I'm just thinking, you know, be confident. Don't um, don't second guess yourself, you know, if you're gonna go one way, go. 

If you're gonna, everyone's got different tactics when it comes to a penalty shootout. Some people look at the body positioning, some people just pick a side and go. But yeah, I think at the end of the day, I'm just like, okay, if you're gonna go, go hard.

Chloe Dalton

I like that. 

Beth Mason-Jones

Yeah.

Beth Mason-Jones

Moving on to your career at Vic Police, was it in 2019 you completed your studies? 

Beth Mason-Jones

Yep.

Chloe Dalton

And from what I've heard, you were pretty good academically. You missed out on the top spot by half a mark, was it?

Beth Mason-Jones

Yeah, which is interesting. I've never been a school or a study kind of person, which kind of touching on my rebellious or stubborn childhood, just wanted to play sports. So no, it was good. It was 12 weeks at the Academy for a PSO with the operational and academic training. 

And I think I would just, you know, I wanted to do well. Like anything I do, it's the same with soccer, if I'm gonna do it, I don't want to just pass, I want to actually be the best. 

So yeah, no, I was pretty proud of myself to do very well in Academy. And yeah, it was a long time ago now, four and a half years. So a little bit hazy at this point.

Chloe Dalton

How was it that you got to that point of choosing that you wanted to become a police officer?

Beth Mason-Jones

I think it was that thought process of obviously, back then the pay for A-League was much worse than it is now. And I was like, "what am I gonna do? Like, how am I gonna support myself after soccer? Like, what's the plan?" And I was thinking about police kind of around the time. 

It was never anything that I'd actually thought of when I was younger. But I'd thought about it for a good 12 months and I was like, yeah, let's just do it, let's apply. And I wanted to apply for PSO so I could get a better understanding of Victoria Police without, I guess, taking that giant leap.

Chloe Dalton

Can you explain PSO for the listeners who may not know?

Beth Mason-Jones

Yeah, so PSO is a protective services officer at Victoria Police and we are mainly stationed at train stations. There's also a unit called PSU, which is the protective services unit. And they are stationed out of landmarks such as Parliament House, the Victorian Police Centre, the Shrine of Remembrance, all those kind of places.

And I think the main appeal was we get to work 10 hour shifts, which means we work eight days of fortnight, and then we have six days off of a fortnight, which I thought was really attractive, especially in terms of, um, you know, wanting to continue to play soccer as well. 

Um, so I applied for PSO. Uh, I think it took about 14 months at that time to get into the process.

Chloe Dalton

Wow.

Beth Mason-Jones

Into a squad. But I think it's sped up a lot more the recruiting process since then.

Chloe Dalton

And what is it that you love about the career that you currently have?

Beth Mason-Jones

Other than the leave? Haha.

Chloe Dalton

It's a good bonus.

Beth Mason-Jones

Um, no, it's, it's pretty good. Um, no, I, I do like, I like Victoria Police because it's always had the opportunity to go down different pathways. Um, I've never been someone that likes to do the same thing for too long. Um, so I think. Being able to be a PSO and then being able to cross over. 

And then, you know, you can do general duties or you can go down other pathways such as, you know, highway patrol, dog squad, you can be a detective. There's just, you know, there's just so many different things that you can do within the organization.

Chloe Dalton

Do you have a favourite story from your time as an officer?

Beth Mason-Jones

Favourite story.

I don't know, you're probably gonna think it's a bit lame, but I think I was just really proud of the way I did this job. 

And I was just at Flinders Street Station one night and we heard a ruckus downstairs while we were having a meal break. And me and my off-siders, we just kind of looked at each other and we're like, yeah, let's go. Like it's go time, we just got up, we went outside. 

And I was the first one to get down there, because obviously I'm so quick. 

Chloe Dalton

Haha elite athlete.

Beth Mason-Jones

Yeah, that's why. I didn't push my way off-siders out of the way, no. 

Chloe Dalton

Haha!

Beth Mason-Jones

No, I was the first one down there and just, I saw a brawl in front of me and I was just on the radio and I was like, 

"location"

"this is happening"

"back up"

And I just think I was just., I don't know why it sticks out in my mind. I think it's just because it was such a clean job and I had another unit there within like 15 seconds to stop the brawl with us. 

Chloe Dalton

Wow.

Beth Mason-Jones

And I think I was just really proud of my communication. And obviously adrenaline and I think that's just probably why that one sticks out in my mind.

Chloe Dalton

I like that. What do you think it is in those moments? Like, is it something over time you've got better at, or do you think it's part of your sporting career that's helped you? What do you think it is that can make you a good communicator in like the intense moment?

Beth Mason-Jones

I think it's partly obviously training at Academy, probably. They try to drill into you a bit, you know, what to do, and you go over what to do so many times in those kind of circumstances. 

But I think also the high pressure situation, you know, it's like with playing in front of a big crowd, you know, you've got so many people watching you and you've got to make a decision, you know, someone's... It's like being a goalkeeper. If you're standing in goal, someone's running at you, you're going to run out, then you're going to stay where you are. 

So I think, you know, those high pressure situations that you have to be cool, calm, collected in.

Chloe Dalton

Is that a weird thing for you, this kind of move towards like the technology era and that idea that so many things are filmed? Like, is it weird sometimes when you're on the job and in moments like that, where there might be a brawl or something going on to think that people are watching in that context?

Beth Mason-Jones

Um, I think it's just, you know, it's just the world we live in. I'm just used to, you know, there's so much technology going on. And like anything can come out at any time of like, if you're on your phone, you know, like everything's tracked, everything's traced. 

Um, and I think just, you know, it's being in the eye of the public being, you know, part of Victoria Place. You know, you have to be professional all the time. 

People are always watching, you have to, and it's the same with being an athlete. People look up to you, people, you're role model to people, and I think that they definitely go hand in hand with that kind of stuff.

Chloe Dalton

Yeah, for sure. 

What would you say to someone who is thinking about a career at Vic Police?

Beth Mason-Jones

I think it's pretty good job. Yeah, I like, I actually am surprised I'm in this job thinking back to when I was a kid, just a lot younger and really stubborn and didn't wanna follow rules or anything like that. 

But I definitely think if your values and your morals align with those of Victoria Place, then that's definitely, definitely something you should do because I think if you want to be in this job, you have to have the same kind of morals and values and in the job and outside the job.

Chloe Dalton

Um, yeah, it's really cool. It's been really cool to hear about your story. And I love this idea that you kind of, you very much decide your own destiny in a way. 

I love the fact that you just sent the email and just said, "Hey, give me a chance". Like, I think it's so cool that you've really had the courage to put yourself out there and that you're back in a position to, to keep aiming to play at the top level. 

I've, um, I've really loved chatting to you today, but thanks so much for your time and for being really open and honest with your story.

Beth Mason-Jones

No worries, thanks for, you know, allowing me to share it and, you know, talk about my career as both a protective services officer and, you know, an athlete.

Chloe Dalton

Yeah, it's awesome. Thank you so much.

Outro: Chloe Dalton

Thanks so much for listening. 

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