This article as originally published in the 2025 Sydney Swans Foundation Impact Report, celebrating 20 years of support. Read the full report, HERE.
Amelia was part of the first intake of girls to join the QBE Sydney Swans Academy all those years ago. Why did you choose to sign her up as a 10-year-old?
“I took Amelia to her first game in 2015 because I loved footy – she was only young. She was just amazed and she loved it, so we got an 11-game membership the next year. We went to every game; we went to the AFL Grand Final, and she just fell in love with footy.
We looked at her playing in 2017 and she had to start playing with the boys in the U11s as there was no girls program. Then the youth girls' program in the Academy popped up.”
What did the commitment to footy look like as she balanced school? What sacrifices were made?
“From U12s to U15s, if you wanted to be part of the Academy, you were in. It wasn't taxing because it was just once a week in Wollongong, then once a month we would travel to Sydney and Amelia would play games against girls from the other areas. But during U18s she just loved it, and I didn’t mind doing it.”
Did your relationship with Amelia strengthen during that period?
“Because we’re based in Wollongong we’d drive to Sydney for games and training. We would get there early to miss traffic, and we’d kick the footy for an hour or more before and after the game.
By the time we were driving home, it was 12 o'clock at night, and she'd be sitting in the seat next to me, half asleep, chatting away. Especially when she was younger.
That was just an amazing time, just to listen to your little girl. It made my heart happy.”
How would you describe the culture of the Academy?
“Amazing. It’s about making them a good person for the world. It teaches kids commitment, resilience and hard work. So, if at any time Amelia got cut or hadn't made it, it'd help her in getting a job. It’s given her those skills for the rest of her life.”
Talk to me about Draft night. Was the family expecting it?
“Amelia’s draft journey was different. Three months prior the best 90 girls across Australia were invited to the Draft Combine, and Amelia didn’t get invited. I remember picking her up from school that day, I was just dreading it, and she was in tears.
On draft night, we sort of didn't really have any expectations and we had no indication she was going to be drafted. So, when she was … I couldn’t sleep and it was just amazing. I knew she was good enough. We just didn't think she was getting drafted at all, so that was a big, big surprise.”
Did you share any words of advice ahead of her AFLW debut in Round 2?
“I don't think so, because I haven't really been able to give her advice for the last couple of years, because she's so strong-willed. The one thing I did say is, ‘You’ve earned it’.”
What would you tell other parents who are considering having their children join?
“There’s an opportunity. You've got brilliant coaches that care, you've got an organisation that embraces the girls and the boys, and it gives them skills for life. It's great for local footy in the Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle area. And for not just footy, but their life in general.”
This article as originally published in the 2025 Sydney Swans Foundation Impact Report, celebrating 20 years of support. Read the full report, HERE.
