Doing it for Ash – Simmo’s 4X4X4 Challenge

Four miles, every four hours, for 48 hours. That’s the challenge that Norwood Football Club SANFLW Captain Steph Simmonds has just completed in memory of Ashleigh Young. 

Simmonds, (with the support of her Redlegs teammates) across last weekend underwent the 4X4X48 Challenge to raise money for the Ashleigh Young Scholarship, in memory of Ash, who was in many ways the heart and sole of the club’s Female Football Program.

Ashleigh tragically lost her life in December 2023, following complications with her asthma, but her legacy is still very much at the core of the SANFLW program.

“Ash was a very important figure at the football club, as well as South Australian sport,” Simmonds said.

“The Scholarship was able to get this challenge up and running for me, to raise funds for a very important cause, helping female athletes achieve their goals.

“At Norwood, there’d be some girls that have come into the playing group who may not have known Ash personally, but they realise the impact that she had, so it’s important to keep her name and legacy going at this club.”

Simmonds started her challenge at 6pm on Friday night, with her first run taking place at Norwood’s Coopers Stadium.

Across her 78km in 48 hours, Simmonds ran around Norwood, through the city and out to the beach, at all hours of the morning, afternoon and night.

“At times (it was draining), but I had so much adrenalin pumping. A lot of the football girls ran a leg with me, they were more than happy to get involved. I had amazing support throughout, it was a really fun weekend.

“It was such a good community based challenge in the end, I had so much support to get me through. I ended up going 78km, the calves were feeling it by the end, so I’m being looked after by the S&C team at Norwood, and on a load management at training now.

“I knew I had the mental side of it covered, given my Army career, I have done sleep deprivation training so I knew how to handle that. Physically, I have done a lot of running over the summer, so it was up to the people around me to keep me going.

“The graveyard shifts at 2am, I always had 2-3 people supporting me through, so it showed that having people around you, you can achieve anything.

Simmonds has exceeded her original goal to raise $4000 for the Ashleigh Young Scholarship, which is currently at$5700. If you would like to donate, click the link below.

“I set the goal of $4000, to match the 4X4X4 theme, but we smashed it. We’re at nearly $6000 now which is amazing, I am beyond grateful to everyone that chipped in, and Ash’s family are so grateful as well.