Tia Hinds has talent to boot across four codes, and now she’s been named in a national girls AFL side

SPORT is a way of life in Tia Hinds’ family, and with talent to boot across four codes, the Maroubra athlete is no exception.

The Maroubra Saints' Tia Hinds has been named in the Australian under 15s girls Australian side and voted best player at the recent NSW school girls’ championships. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

SPORT is a way of life in Tia Hinds’ family, and with talent to boot across four codes, the Maroubra athlete is no exception.

Tia, 15, started out playing touch when she was she was six years old, and started out what has become a stellar career in AFL with the Maroubra Saints when she was nine. At 13 years old she was playing the under-18 girls team and mixed teams in her own age group, and also plays Sevens Rugby for Maroubra Magic, rugby league and touch football.

Tia has now been named in the Australian under 15s girls Australian side and voted best player at the recent NSW school girls’ championships, following in the footsteps of mum Janine, who played touch football for Australia.

Tia Hinds kicks a ball at Heffron Park Maroubra. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett.

Tia is a multi-talented athlete who also plays touch football, rugby sevens and rugby league. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

She is also this week’s Local Sports Star nominee in the Junior Sports Star category.

Proud dad Paul Hinds said Tia’s natural ability was apparent from when she was young.

“We were at Queens Park when she was in Year 4 and the principal of Reddam House at Bondi saw her playing touch and said ‘I want that girl at my school’, so she got an academic and sports scholarship,” Mr Hinds said.

“In any sport she just reads the play well, knows where the ball is going to be and where the gaps are … we were down at the park on the weekend and she was kicking the ball nearly as hard as me, I had to kick as hard as I could to beat her.”

“We are super proud of her — she can do whatever she wants in the future, now she’s made the Australian team AFL is back on top of the list.”