Meet the key players ahead of the QGSSSA junior competiton
It may be summer, but schoolgirl Aussie Rules football is back. We Meet the key Players who will lead the junior QGSSSA footy teams into action from Saturday.
Local sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It’s summer time but that will not stop more than 430 girls from kick starting the Queensland Girls Secondary Schools Sports Association’s Junior Australian football competition tomorrow, Saturday.
The tournament will see nine schools and 29 teams competing in the junior (Years7-9) age groups.
The competition follows the history making, AFL Queensland supported inaugural Senior Australian Football Competition (Years 10-12).
RELATED LINKS
QGSSSA TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIP
QGSSSA PREVIEW - 50 TOP NOTCH ATHLETES
HOW THE QGSSSA ATHLETES WENT AT THE QLD SCHOOL ATHLETICS
Since the launch of the senior competition earlier this year, participation has doubled, going from 15 teams in the seniors to 29 teams in the juniors.
Head of AFL Queensland Trisha Squires said she was excited to watch the junior players competing in Term 4.
“It has been fantastic to see this competition, QGSSSA, grow from strength to strength over the past twelve months,” she said.
“Last year we saw students from these schools compete in modified gala days and development sessions and this term we will see them properly compete against each other.
“Our aim is to see girls have an enjoyable experience in the QGSSSA and then be encouraged to sign on to their local footy club.’’
Four Lions AFLW players came through QGSSSA schools to now compete at the elite stage.
They were Dakota Davidson (Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School), Greta Body (St Peters Lutheran College), Kate Lutkins (Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School) and Lucinda Pullar (Somerville House).
Dr Peter Britton, Principal & CEO, Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School and QGSSSA President said the organisation was again delighted to partner with AFL Queensland for another season.
Here we Meet the key Players who will spearhead the QGSSSA teams into action tomorrow, on Saturday.
St Hilda’s School, Chloe Templeton, Year 7
Playing experience: Chloe has been playing for her local Club, the Surfers Paradise Demons, for the past three seasons. This is also Chloe’s first year playing in the Gold Coast Suns Academy Hub Program.
Sporting background: Chloe has been a competitor in QGSSSA Swimming, Basketball and Cross Country this year.
Why AFL?: Chloe has been fortunate to have had coaches who emphasise the importance of bonding with your teammates which makes this sport so much fun. She also loves tackling and that feeling you get when you achieve the perfect kick!
St Aidan’s Anglican Girls School, Arahi Walker, Year 8
Playing experience: This is Arahi’s second year playing AFL. During 2021 she played for the Aspley Hornets and the under 13 team won the Premiership. This year Arahi plays for the Everton Wolves JAFC, and the team came fourth overall in the under 13 Division 2 competition.
Sporting background: This year Arahi has participated in QGSSSA Touch Football, Track & Field and Cross Country, and is also enjoying the Learn to Row Program.
Why AFL?: Arahi loves how the footy field is separated into three different parts and, how free the players are, whether it be in the middle, out on the wings, defending or kicking goals in the forwards. She also appreciatesthe inclusivity of the game because so many different people can play AFL and it doesn’t matter what size or height you are, there is a position to suit.
Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School, Kate Brent, Year 9
Playing experience: Last year Kate tried AFL for the first time when Ipswich Girls’ Grammar ccompeted in the QG trials. Kate enjoyed it so much she is back for a spot on the team this year.
Sporting background: Kate plays netball, in both the QGSSSA and club competitions, QGSSSA touch football and also enjoys Track & Field.
Why AFL?: Kate loves running, so like touch football she gets to run the field. Mostly, Kate enjoys team sport, and playing with her friends. She is a ruckman and cannot wait to take the
centre bounce for her team this Saturday.
Brisbane State High School, Piper Snow, Year 8
Playing experience: Piper is a very experienced AFL player and has had five seasons with the Aspley Hornets.
Sporting background: Piper competes in QGSSSA softball, netball, cricket, cross country and track & field. She did a quick 800m at the recent Queensland track & field championships.
Why AFL?: Piper enjoys the culture of AFL, and the strong friendships which come with team sport. She is very proud to be part of the growing movement to build Women’s AFL and woman in sport in general. Piper is glad QGSSSA has introduced AFL and looks forward to helping build the sport by encouraging her peers to give it a go.
Somerville House, Emma O’Connor, Year 7
Playing experience: Emma has been enjoying playing Club AFL for the Coorparoo JAFC for the past three seasons.
Sporting background: Emma favourite sports are AFL, basketball, sprinting in track & field and cross country. Emma has proudly represented Sommerville House in these Sports at QGSSSA competitions this year.
Why AFL?: Emma enjoys the team component of AFL, and being able to play with her friends. She also appreciates how AFL teaches multiple skills that then cross over into her other sports, and she also doesn’t mind making a good tackle.
St Margaret’s Anglican Girls’ School, Maggie Clarke, Year 9
Playing experience: Maggie has been playing Club AFL for the Western Bulldogs for the past two years.
Sporting background: In addition to footy, Maggie competes in participate in club and QGSSSA touch, football, netball and rowing.
Why AFL?: Maggie appreciates the many skills required to play AFL, such as handballing, kicking, marking and tackling. She also loves playing with such a large team, and the special bonds that are created across the Season. One of Maggies favourite things to do is attending AFL matches and cheering on the Lions.
Moreton Bay College, Shylah Halliwell, year 7
Playing experience: Shylah plays for the Yeronga Devils, and has been playing for the past two years.
Sporting background: Shylah plays Touch football at club and school level and was a member of the Moreton Bay College Queensland All Schools touch team. Shylah also competes for MBC in QGSSSA track & field and cross country.
Why AFL?: Touch Football has been Shylah’s main representative sport, and she decided to try AFL due to the similarities to touch. Shylah has enjoyed the enormity of AFL in terms of the size and profile of the game, plus there is an obvious pathway to play at a Senior level. Shylah is appreciating learning all the new skills and being able to kick and have more contact involved when competing for the ball.
St Peters Lutheran College, Stella Scott, Year 8
Playing experience: This year Stella played in the U15 Jindalee Jags team, and first started playing in mixed AFL four years ago. Stella also plays for Met West and the Brisbane Lions Academy.
Sporting background: Stella is another all-rounder, and enjoys QGSSSA cricket, volleyball, basketball, cross country, track & field and softball.
Why AFL: Stella appreciates how the game depends on teamwork, and enjoys a good team atmosphere, and playing alongside her friends. Stella has also been fortunate to meet some great coaches to assist her to learn new skills and develop as a player. Stella likes how intense footy is, and all the different skills you can perform whether it is tackling or dodging a player or kicking a goal. It is always fast and exciting.
Players to Watch: 50+ excitement machines set to light up All Schools rugby 7s
The All Schools Rugby 7s tournament has unearthed star sisters Teagan and Maddison Levi. Who’s up next? Named here are more than 50 real deal x-factor players to watch in this weekend’s bumper event. FULL LIST
800+ names: Top BMC, Tav’s batters and bowlers ranked
Stat kings: Who are the leading run scorers and wicket takers in Queensland cricket’s elite Taverners Under-17s and Brisbane Metro Cup Under-16s competitions? 800+ players ranked here in our interactive tables.