Sturt star India Rasheed headlines South Australia’s AFLW draft pool after growing up in famous tennis family

Roger Rasheed played a handful of SANFL games but is best known for coaching some of tennis’s greatest ever players. His daughter India is about to forge her own path in the AFLW.

It was almost a foregone conclusion that India Rasheed would forge a career in professional sport.

But the Sturt star is determined to make a name for herself in a different arena to the one her dad graced nearly 20 years ago.

While her dad Roger did play a handful of games for Sturt in the SANFL, he’s best known as a tennis player and coach.

Some of Rasheed’s most successful pupils include world No. 1 and major champion Lleyton Hewitt, former world No. 6 Gaël Monfils, former world No. 5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and former world No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov.

India too played tennis up until age 12. But not even the chance to rub shoulders with some of the world’s best could convince her to give up her AFLW draft dream.

Roger Rasheed with daughter India in 2016. Picture: Keryn Stevens

“The individual aspect of tennis is something I didn’t really enjoy,” she said. “I much prefer team sports. And footy also gives you a lot of creativity compared to tennis.

“It’s been pretty good having my dad on my side because he’s come from that elite sporting background. Growing up with him in tennis has been amazing.

“I love tennis so I’ve been able to experience amazing things like going to grand slams and being up close and personal with some of the best players in the world. I’ve formed great relationships with some of the players he’s coached.

“Seeing the professionalism and intensity they train with…I’m really grateful to my dad for him exposing me to that at a young age.”

Rasheed is widely considered the top South Australian prospect in this year’s draft class. The 18-year-old finished the SANFL season ranked first in the league totals for inside 50s, fifth for disposals, sixth for marks and seventh for ranking points.

Two of her best games this season have both come against Central Districts, racking up 36 disposals and kicking three goals in her first game against them before dominating with two goals and 34 disposals five weeks later.

It’s why Rasheed likes to model her game on Geelong superstar Jeremy Cameron and his ability to impact up the ground before beating his opponent back to goal.

India is forging her path in a different sport to her father. Picture: Brett Hartwig

“I play a lot of midfield for Sturt but forward is my favourite position,” she said. “Someone like Jeremy Cameron…he impacts the scoreboard but has a lot of goal assists.

“I’m not established enough to break into an AFLW midfield yet. I really enjoy the forward line but it depends on what the team needs at the time. I think that’s the spot that suits me the best.”

It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for Rasheed this year though. Following a dominant underage year that included winning South Australia’s MVP award at the National Championships, teams started to pay her more attention this year.

At times, Rasheed has found herself questioning her ability and love of football.

“I wanted to back up my performance and win that (MVP award) again this year,” she said. “That was the only individual accolade I actually enjoyed receiving.

“I don’t think there was any pressure on me externally but internally I wanted to win it in my top age year if I won it in my bottom age year.

“I don’t think I’ve had the most consistent season but I feel like I played a decent amount of good games. It’s not the season I wanted, especially the state program.

“One of my goals, and it wasn’t really a linear one but it was just around enjoyment and trying to enjoy footy. That’s something I’ve lost a little bit.”

Rasheed has been one of the rising stars of South Australian footy. Picture: Cory Sutton

For the record, Rasheed still made the 2024 U18s All-Australian team, the SANFLW team of the year and she also won the SANFLW Powerade Breakthrough Player Award.

Rasheed didn’t test at the AFLW draft combine due to an ongoing hip injury that she’ll have to continue to manage.

“It’s an overuse injury,” she said. “It’s nothing structural. It’s more just inflammation around my hip joint.

“I’ve had it for two years so it’s always been something I’ve dealt with but I’ve got a new rehab program which I’m following pretty diligently so hopefully I’ll be able to strengthen all the areas I need to.”

Originally published as Sturt star India Rasheed headlines South Australia’s AFLW draft pool after growing up in famous tennis family