Phoenix rising: How new Hills Alliance is giving girls a fresh pathway in northwest Sydney

An alliance between two proud AFL Sydney junior clubs has given fresh life to the girls game in the northwest. Here’s how the newly formed Hills Phoenix is making a difference for the youth.

The Hills Phoenix Youth Girls Australian Football Alliance brings girls together from the Baulkham Hills Hawks and Kellyville Rouse Hill Magpies. Picture: Contributed

Western Sydney has long been a battleground for footy codes trying to win over the youth in the ever-expanding region.

Two Aussie rules clubs have come together in what they hope is a landmark venture to attract young girls into the sport and keep them over the course of their football journeys.

The Baulkham Hills Hawks and the Kellyville Rouse Hill Magpies have combined their female programs to form the Hills Phoenix Youth Girls Australian Football Alliance.

Teams will take part in AFL Sydney divisions ranging from U9s through to U17s, a feat Phoenix working committee member Jonathon Lee said was extraordinary for their first year.

“We’ve tried for a couple of years to get it together. Wiser heads prevailed at the end of last year and there was an agreement to come together,” he said.

“We have 115 girls registered which is phenomenal. We have teams in U9s, U11s, U13s, two in U15s and U17s.

“It’s an incredible starting point. We thought we’d be in a good position if we had three or four teams.

“We want this to be a place where players can push forward with their desires to play at the top level or just to have a kick with their mates.”

Players model the playing kit of the Hills Phoenix Youth Girls Australian Football Alliance. Picture: Contributed

The alliance gives these young women something tangible to call their own, and with a connection with senior club the East Coast Eagles, the pathway from juniors through to seniors is there for the taking.

“We want to give them their own experience, not just be part of the boys club,” he said.

“Having something that is their own, we want them to keep coming back each year. Their journey doesn’t have to finish at 17 if they don’t go on to play AFLW.

“We’ve had heavy buy in from the East Coast Eagles and we eventually want them to go on and play U19s.

“We hear stories of blokes that have played suburban footy at a good level for 200, 300 games. Why can’t that be some of these girls?”

With their season set to commence next month, the girls were treated to a special jersey presentation with AFLW players from the Giants and Swans, as well as AFL Giants players on hand.

What makes it even more memorable is the fact the final jersey design was voted upon by the girls themselves.

The Hills Phoenix Youth Girls Australian Football Alliance brings girls together from the Baulkham Hills Hawks and Kellyville Rouse Hill Magpies. Picture: Contributed

39-game AFLW talent Tarni Evans was there to present guernseys, and said herself and her fellow players cherish moments like this.

“It’s the best part of the job,” she said.

“Sometimes we get so wrapped up in playing that we forget the impact sport has on Australia as a country and the community aspect.

“To be able to come down, have a chat to the girls and be as real as possible, hopefully they can see the pathways available in the game.”

Having access to an all-girls team didn’t happen for Evans until her teenage years and she said it bodes well for the future generations.
“It wasn’t really a thing when I was a junior. To be able to see girls from young ages through to 17 be able to play with the same age group and have their own little community is great,” she said.

“There’s generally a high drop-out rate with females in sport at the teenage years. To get them in a comfortable environment and keep young girls in sport, it’s crazy to think about how far we’ve come.”

Originally published as Phoenix rising: How new Hills Alliance is giving girls a fresh pathway in northwest Sydney