Just days away from Round 6 of the inaugural AFL Women’s League, it is with great pride and excitement that School Sport Australia (SSA) recognises the AFLW athletes who came through the school sport pathway.
SSA Australian Football National Secretary said it was inspiring to see so many school sport alumni playing in the AFL Women’s League.
“SSA is celebrating its sixth year of providing opportunities for female athletes to compete in Australian Football at a national level,” Mr Dellavedova said.
“It has been most pleasing to see the development of the girl’s over this time. We have reduced the age limit from 16 Years and Under to 15 Years and Under as there is a ground swell of female players coming through the AFL systems in each state,” he said.
“The competition has also grown from four teams in 2011 to now seven representative teams from every Australian state and territory except Tasmania.”
Mr Dellavedova said the pathway that SSA provided for these young females has certainly vindicated the decision to include girls’ teams in the 2011.
“It was most gratifying to see the number of girls who played in our Championships in previous years get drafted in the inaugural AFLW teams for 2017,” he said.
“The increased number of state teams is a testament to the growth of AFLW for female players.”
Join School Sport Australia in congratulating the following female athletes who came through the school sport pathway. Click on their names to read their athlete bios.
Brisbane Lions
Sabrina Frederick-Traub – School Sport WA
Tahlia Randall – Queensland School Sport
Tayla Harris – Queensland School Sport
Emily Bates – Queensland School Sport
Jade Ransfield – Queensland School Sport
Nicole Hildebrand – School Sport Victoria
Collingwood
Emma King – School Sport WA
Caitlyn Edwards – School Sport WA
Brittany Bonicci – School Sport Victoria
Jasmine Garner – School Sport Victoria
Fremantle
Brianna Green – School Sport WA
Ashley Sharp – School Sport WA
Tiah Haynes – School Sport WA
Kira Phillips – School Sport WA
Tayla Bresland – School Sport WA
Belinda Smith – School Sport WA
Demi Okely – School Sport WA
Tarnica Golisano – School Sport WA
Beatrice Devlyn – School Sport WA
Taryn Priestly – School Sport WA
Ebony Antonio – School Sport WA
Gabby O’Sullivan – School Sport WA
Greater Western Sydney
Alex Williams – School Sport WA
Jess Del Pos – School Sport Victoria
Louise Stephenson – School Sport Victoria
Adelaide Crows
Ebony Marinoff – SA School Sport
Sarah Allen – SA School Sport
Jessica Sedunary – SA School Sport
Western Bulldogs
Libby Birch – School Sport Victoria
Ellie Blackburn – School Sport Victoria
Hayley Wilde – School Sport Victoria
Carlton
Isabella Ayre – School Sport Victoria
Tilly Lucas – Rodd – School Sport Victoria
Madeline Keryk – School Sport Victoria
Rebbecca Privitelli – School Sport Victoria
Melbourne
Katherine Smith – School Sport Victoria
Lily Mithen – School Sport Victoria
Deanna Berry – School Sport Victoria
Stephanie De Bortoli – School Sport Victoria
Aliesha Newman – School Sport Victoria
If you know of any AFLW athletes who came through the school sport pathway that aren’t on this list, please let us know by emailing carroll.sharni.e@edumail.vic.gov.au