Young AFL hopeful has sights set on Swans or Giants

YOUNG AFL star Brenna Tarrant is breaking the mould and encouraging more girls to get involved in the growing sport.

Marissa Georgopoulos

less than 2 min read

July 22, 2016 - 10:34AM

Penrith Press

Junior Sports Star

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FEMALE involvement in AFL is greater than ever, with the game’s inaugural national women’s competition slated for next year.

Eight teams will play over two months, giving younger girls a future in Aussie rules.

“It’s really good to see girls running around, having fun and playing something they love … I would like to make it all the way,” local up-and-comer Brenna Tarrant said.

A Junior Sports Star nominee, Brenna, 14, of Blaxland, was drawn to the sport a few years ago when she saw girls playing in her male cousin’s team.

Brenna during a kick around at her home field, Dukes Oval, at Emu Plains. Picture: Peter Kelly

A year later, she attended a workshop offered at the Emu Plains/Glenmore Park Lions’ home ground.

Mother Heidi Tarrant said: “It was all for a new girls’ comp they were starting up, and it all just snowballed from there.”

Brenna gave up netball and dancing and has since been welcomed into the GWS Giants under-18 representative team.

She was also selected for the GWS Giants Academy, which is building her up as “a better footy player”.

The Junior Sports Star nominee said she enjoys “playing something different”. Picture: Peter Kelly

“They really push me to my limits and are getting me out of my comfort zone,” the young athlete said.

Adding to her commitment, Brenna umpires, and the St Columba’s Catholic College Year 9 student is also NSW Combined Catholic Colleges player.

She is preparing for the Australian championships next month.

“(The game) is going to be so much bigger by the time I’m 20, so that’s a really good age to be drafted with the Giants, or maybe even the Swans,” Brenna said.