Crows AFLW and South Adelaide SANFLW midfielder Nikki Gore travels to Nauru, spreads word of women’s footy

A week before Crows AFLW and South Adelaide midfielder Nikki Gore helped the Panthers win back-to-back SANFLW flags on Sunday, she travelled to Nauru with Crows co-captain Chelsea Randall and their teammate Angela Foley. But why?

Crows AFLW players Nikki Gore, Chelsea Randall and Angela Foley catch fish during their trip to Nauru. Picture: Supplied, Adelaide Crows

• South wins back-to-back SANFLW premierships
• Nikki Gore to debut against GWS
• Roosters and Panthers ready to fight for glory
• Panthers' rugby code-hopper set for grand final

To some, Nauru is just a country where Australia houses refugees.

But in reality it is more than a detention centre – it is the central Pacific centre for Australian rules football.

Crows and South Adelaide footballer Nikki Gore quickly learned that when visiting the island a week before she was set to play for the Panthers in Sunday’s SANFLW grand final.

But why would an 18-year-old preparing for a flag decider fly about 10 hours to a place with just 11,200 people?

Gore’s answer is simple – to spread the word of Australian rules, give back to a community less fortunate and educate people on the growth of women’s football.

Crows AFLW co-captain Chelsea Randall (L) with teammates Nikki Gore and Angela Foley and AFLNauru representatives in Nauru. Picture: Adelaide Crows

The midfielder shared the four-day experience with Crows AFLW co-captain Chelsea Randall and teammate Angela Foley.

“When Chelsea said we were going to Nauru, I was like ‘where is this place?” says Gore, who will feature with South in the SANFLW grand final against North Adelaide.

“I had never heard of Nauru before but I was like ‘all right, I’ll go’.

“It was a pretty unreal experience.

“They are such a football-loving community.

“One of the aims of our trip was to chat with the women of Nauru and try to get them up and running with their women’s competition.”

Gore, Randall and Foley watched local children compete in an athletics carnival, hosted football clinics and held talks about the importance of eating right and being active.

They also met Nauru’s president, Baron Waqa, and learned about the island’s culture.

Gore found it an eye-opening experience.

Crows AFLW and South Adelaide SANFLW midfielder Nikki Gore in Nauru. Picture - Supplied, Adelaide Crows

Crows AFLW players Angela Foley (L), co-captain Chelsea Randall and Nikki Gore with Nauruan children in Nauru. Picture: Supplied, Adelaide Crows

“I was teaching the kids how to kick and handball because they’ve never really been coached properly with the right techniques,” she says.

“Their ovals are gravel, whereas we play on grass.

“It’s crazy what they play on and they are not afraid at all to get tackled on that hard surface.

“They’ve actually got quite good skills and they enjoyed it and I had a lot of fun as well.

“Footy is definitely more than a game and, with such a short season, it’s pretty awesome that we can give back.”

The Crows players’ trip to Nauru was organised through the AFL, AFL Nauru and the Australian High Commission in Nauru to promote female football and a healthy lifestyle.

Gore’s focus has now returned to helping South win back-to-back SANFLW flags and she is confident the Panthers can beat the Roosters.

“I am ready for it.

“It’s pretty strange to come back from overseas and to prepare for a grand final but I’m feeling really happy.

“I played in the grand final last year but winning back-to-back with South would mean a lot to me.

“I played with South through my juniors … it would be surreal to get another grand final win.”

South Adelaide beat North Adelaide by 22 points in the grand final at Glenelg Oval on Sunday.

Gore finished the flag decider with 16 touches and three clearances.