Senna dreams of future in new women’s national AFL league

With her mum a diehard fan and coach who grew up in Victoria, AFL is in Senna Gulden’s blood. The Chifley teen is now carving out her own career at a time of major change for the code.

Senna Gulden plays AFL with the Maroubra Saints, and dreams of being part of the national women’s league. Picture: John Appleyard

With her mum a diehard fan who grew up in Victoria, and both brothers playing the game, AFL is in Senna Gulden’s blood.

This week’s Junior Sports Star nominee, Senna started playing in the Maroubra Saints under-7 mixed team “for something to do” after getting bored watching her younger brother from the sideline.

“It was good being the only girl in the team, everyone remembered me,” the 15-year-old said.

“I knew I could play well against the boys, but in some cases I wouldn’t get a touch and just be standing there.”

Things have changed since those early days, with Senna proving she’s a talent in her own right.

The Chifley teenager was selected for the NSW state team at under-12 and 15 levels, and was also chosen to be a part of the first girls’ team in the Sydney Harbour competition, playing for Maroubra when she was nine, then again in the under-18s and All Stars teams this year.

“When we first started there were only two teams in the competition, so we used to go to Ryde every week to play against the same girls,” Senna said.

Senna Gulden was chosen to be a part of the inagural AFL Girls Academy, run by GWS Giants women’s league coach Tim Schmidt. Picture: John Appleyard

“Now the game has really evolved, there are lots of different age groups and two divisions.”

The AFL’s decision to establish a national women’s league next year is an exciting prospect for Senna and mum and Maroubra Saints under-18 girls’ coach Bronwyn Gulden.

“The sport is growing so much and to see it evolve to have a national league team is great,” Mrs Gulden said.

“By the time it’s all up and running and going great guns, Senna will be the right age to possibly take that pathway — it’s great motivation.”

Senna was part of the first AFL Girls Academy run this year by the GWS Giants women's team coach Tim Schmidt. The Giants are one of eight clubs which will take part in the inaugural competition.

“We did a lot of training with girls who take their footy seriously and want to go to that elite level,” Senna said.

“There were older girls there too and you could see the hard work it takes to follow that pathway and get drafted. It seems surreal.”

Rebel is the major sponsor of the NewsLocal Junior Sports Star Awards. To nominate someone you know head to juniorsportsstar.com.au/nominate