Both stars in their own right, two local AFL players will be presented with a world of opportunities next year as part of the NSW/ACT Youth Girls Academy.
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Kyla Hamilton and Elle Ford were thrilled with their selection in the prestigious academy, and determined to make the most of it.
“(I) didn’t expect any of this,” Hamilton said. She’s still new to the sport, having just completed her first season.
“I’m a bit excited and I’m a bit nervous too. I get to play with people my own age.”
One of the youngest on the field, Hamilton was voted player of the finals series and runner up best and fairest for the season – pipped to the post by Ford. Hamilton was a key player in the Inverell Saints grand final, kicking five of eight goals.
“I feel like some of them were a bit of a fluke!” she said.
“I was a bit shocked,” Ford admitted of her invitation to the academy.
Having reached the Northern Inland Academy of Sport (NIAS) age limit and preparing for her HSC next year, Ford was considering leaving AFL behind to concentrate on her academics.
However a strong season with the Inverell Saints and impressive performance in the NSW/ACT Youth Girls State Squad earlier in the year put her in the limelight.
“Elle is well known as trail blazer for women in footy in the North West,” regional AFL development officer Sonia Martin said.
A change in the academy format, requiring less regular travel, means she can have the best of both worlds. She thinks she’ll enjoy it even more than when she was at her most competitive.
“Because I thought I wasn’t going to do AFL anymore, I just want to do it for the fun of it now,” she said.
Both players have a deep appreciation for the sport.
“It’s just a good game, I reckon,” said Ford, who loved the mixture of skill sets required. She felt AFL was the perfect game for young women.
“Everyone’s able to do it -every shape and size, and it doesn’t matter your skill base in sport - you’re still able to do it,” she said.
“I love getting out there and just the thrill of it,” Hamilton said.
“Being able to tackle, and just playing with different people.”
Her favourite aspect was her fellow Inverell Saints players.
“They’ve been welcoming and really accepting.”
Naomi Shumack
Born and bred in Inverell, I'm passionate about community journalism. I'm the youngest of five kids, am a book worm and have a ridiculous movie collection. I have a double degree in Communications and International Studies from the University of Wollongong. I write stories for the Inverell Times, Moree Champion and Goondiwindi Argus. You can contact me at naomi.shumack@fairfaxmedia.com.au or on 0438 606 351.
Born and bred in Inverell, I'm passionate about community journalism. I'm the youngest of five kids, am a book worm and have a ridiculous movie collection. I have a double degree in Communications and International Studies from the University of Wollongong. I write stories for the Inverell Times, Moree Champion and Goondiwindi Argus. You can contact me at naomi.shumack@fairfaxmedia.com.au or on 0438 606 351.
