Celebrating Women in Sport

Celebrating Women in Sport

As the excitement builds with the upcoming AFL Women’s season and the momentum of the “Tillies Campaign” promoting women in sports, it’s the perfect time to shine a spotlight on the remarkable female AFL players within the MLC School community.

Since the inception of AFL at MLC School in 2018, there has been a noticeable surge in both the participation numbers and the skill level of the girls in the program. Notably, this success has translated into an increasing number of players transitioning from school-level play to women’s clubs. A pivotal factor in this achievement is MLC School’s status as a feeder school for the Sydney University Australian National Football Club (SUANFC) program. This collaborative relationship is strengthened by the involvement of several school coaches within the SUANFC club.

Over the past two years, MLC School has witnessed a remarkable milestone: six former and current students have emerged as significant players in the SUANFC program. Among them, Arachi Park, AFL Captain 2023, stands out as a true testament to talent and hard work.

Arachi’s journey this year has been nothing short of extraordinary. Starting in the Division 4 team, she quickly ascended to the reserve team and even cameoed in the premier division due to her exceptional skills, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of improvement. Despite still being in Year 12, Arachi has already demonstrated her mettle in the women’s competition. A remarkable feat on its own, her ability to hold her ground in a more mature competition is a testament to her resilience and skill development.

Perhaps even more noteworthy is Arachi’s off-field impact. Awarded the “Players’ Player” title multiple times, her teammates consistently praise her for her composure, kindness, and exceptional leadership. Even at a young age, she fearlessly embraced the role of leading the midfield in a recent match, leaving her teammates in awe of her maturity and drive.

Yasmin Sayer, a youth club standout, has successfully secured her place in the premier division. She has showcased her versatility by filling various positions on the field before solidifying her role in the defensive line. Yas has accumulated a significant number of appearances in the premier division, effectively showcasing her robustness and expertise, notably excelling in her ability to take accurate marks. She often doubles up on the weekend playing in the women’s competition and then at her junior club.

Zara Kilborn has actively participated in the women’s competition for two years, adeptly managing both junior and senior levels of play. Easily recognisable on the field by her distinctive pink headgear, Zara has consistently displayed her prowess in the midfield for the Div 4 Gems. Furthermore, her talents have been recognised as she seamlessly transitioned into the reserves for a number of rounds, showcasing her dedication and skills.

Unfortunately, the Sydney Uni Women’s premier division and gems were knocked out of the first round of finals. Ms Schroder’s Newtown Breakaways are in with another chance this weekend, wishing her the best of luck.

MLC School’s connection with SUANFC has proven invaluable. With coaches like Xavier Maling and James Lees, who bridge both institutions, players benefit from a cohesive coaching experience that seamlessly guides them through their AFL journey.

MLC School students and teachers are representing across the Sydney Women’s Competition:

  • Ms Alex Schroder Newton Breakaway
  • Dakota Dodd (Year 11) Inner West Magpies (2024)
  • Sienna Dodd (Year 9) Inner West Magpies (2026)
  • Sienna Strauss (2022) North Shore Bombers
  • Hayley Kenzler (2019) Sydney University Bombers 
  • Zara Kilborn (Year 12) Sydney University Bombers (2023)
  • Arachi Park (Year 12) Sydney University Bombers (2023)
  • Yasmin Sayer (Year 11) Sydney University Bombers (2024)

For those interested in joining the MLC School AFL program or exploring opportunities within the SUANFC, we encourage you to reach out to the sport department and/or Xavier Maling. Becoming a part of this vibrant AFL community means gaining access to expert coaching and a network of fellow enthusiasts.

– Xavier Maling
Women’s Premier Division Defensive Line Coach
SUANFC

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