Oscar, Sandra, Clare and Ethan.
Clare Smith is a familiar face in the local league tag scene, because she looks just like her twin sister Georgia. We joked in the office and quickly ascertained that she would see the funny side. Our staff have been taking her photo for more than a decade, documenting both their footballing prowess and athleticism. You see, Clare and Georgia are nick-named the twinnies around the club and have been leading the Harden Hawkettes for the last decade with just small amounts of time off from their beloved sport.
Both sisters have been local power-houses full of determination, with Clare fresh off a clean sweep representing Australia in the Women’s 27s OzTag team against New Zealand in the Trans Tasman Invitational. The five-match test series was held over three days in Auckland, with the Australians taking all five wins.
The triumph marked a proud milestone for Smith, who first made the Australian team after standout performances for ACT at the Nationals in Coffs Harbour. The Women’s 27s division introduced in 2024 is designed for players aged 27 and over, and Smith, who turns 29 next month, has quickly established herself as a core player.
“It’s always an honour to represent your country,” she said.
“To do it over in New Zealand was amazing. My mum, dad, and partner were there, which made it even more special.”
Smith, who has battled through a recent ankle injury, played a more strategic, playmaker role throughout the tournament. While she didn’t notch any stand-out scoring moments herself, she was proud to have played a key role in the team’s cohesion and tactics.
“I hadn’t done the amount of fitness I would’ve liked leading into the tournament,” she admitted.
“But I was just happy to get through the whole thing injury-free. I really focused on supporting the team and gelling well with the other girls.”
Now, Smith’s sights are firmly set on the 2026 OzTag World Cup. The road begins again in November, with the Nationals acting as the next major step in selection. Trials for the ACT squad kick off in June. Despite the challenges of injury recovery and gym closures, Smith is staying focused.
“At the national level, we’re expected to maintain an Olympic level of fitness,” she said.
“And most of that is self-disciplined. You have to do the work on your own.”
That work ethic is something she brings into her coaching of the Harden Hawkettes, who have become a dominant force in the league tag competition. Under her joint leadership, the Hawkettes have claimed premierships in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024. COVID disrupted the 2020 and 2021 seasons, though they were minor premiers in the latter.
“It kind of works in my favour,” she laughed. “I get to push the girls in fitness while working on mine too.”
As Clare Smith pushes toward peak condition, she continues to inspire both teammates and the next generation of local athletes all while quietly preparing for another shot at international glory in 2026. The Twin Towns certainly can produce talented footballers.
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