Burleigh hooker Akayla McQuire eager to represent indigenous heritage in All Stars match

For Burleigh teenager Akayla McQuire, All Stars camp this week has given her the chance to provide wisdom beyond her years.

FOR Burleigh teenager Akayla McQuire, All Stars camp this week has given her the chance to provide wisdom beyond her years.

An emerging talent, McQuire will line up at hooker for the Indigenous All Stars team on Friday afternoon at AAMI Park.

But there is little doubt the most significant impact of this concept is being felt off the football field.

The 19-year-old grew up looking up to indigenous female footballers Mahalia Murphy and Caitlin Moran and now is excited by the opportunity to become an idol for the next generation of youngsters, as witnessed at the team’s signing sessions throughout the week.

Caitlin Moran is someone that McQuire looks up to. Picture: Lachie Millard

“It’s really good those girls coming in and looking up to us older girls and having an idol,” she said.

“A lot of the little boys too, they have come and are really supportive of the girls as well.

“Especially kids that you have never met before and they were like, ‘oh my God, it’s so good to meet you’. That was an eye-opener.

“It’s a really big opportunity to be able to go out there and show our young girls that they can break down those barriers and judgement, and they can stand up and be the change and be the person that makes that difference.”

Akayla McQuire at a training session leading in to the All Stars clash. Picture: Getty Images

McQuire is also enjoying having a positive effect on her indigenous teammates.

“For a job I teach Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island culture. So a lot of girls that have come, I’ve been able to push them in ways to help them break down those barriers of the whole shame and being ashamed about being Aboriginal,” she said.

Last year was McQuire’s first at powerhouse club Burleigh – who she has re-signed with for 2019 – having previously been dual registered at Sunnybank and Waterford.

She will line up in Melbourne alongside fellow Bears Amber Pilley and Tallisha Harden and against club teammates Tyler Birch, Zahara Temara and Tazmin Gray.

“Hopefully I can go out and show that I can be capable of being in this (representative) position again,” McQuire said.