Don’t give up your day job: a veteran’s advice to the TikTok generation in AFLW

What’s the deal with age?

New research into Australia’s older workers, which found age discrimination has almost doubled in the past five years, got me thinking about the dynamic between older and younger footballers in AFLW and how the teams that get this right are the ones that are thriving, on and off the field.

In some ways, younger players at North Melbourne have challenged me, a 33-year-old club captain, in ways I couldn’t have predicted. They are obsessed with capturing every moment on social media, from TikTok dances in the locker room through to trying to convince me get on the new craze, BeReal. They also won’t respond to text messages, instead opting for Snapchat as the preferred method of contact.

Emma Kearney takes on Port Adelaide star Erin Phillips.Credit: AFL Photos

In other ways, having experienced players around has never been more important.

When I received my first state cricket contract, I was 23, fresh out of university and working full-time for the first time. It was an exciting time in my life, but what I didn’t anticipate was the challenge of juggling work and sport. The players I turned to were the veterans of the team, the athletes who had persevered through these challenges and succeeded. If it wasn’t for their support, I wouldn’t be the athlete I am today.

Melbourne Demons young gun Tyla Hanks.Credit: Getty Images

As AFLW nears full-time professionalism, athletes are reducing their workloads to cater for the demands of their training loads. This is a positive step for the sport, but I have concerns that if this model replicates the men’s, striking the right balance of footy and careers post-retirement could be skewed. This is where the older players, like myself, can encourage teammates to continue completing activities outside of footy, that will set them up once they retire.

In the AFLW competition, Melbourne, one of the most successful teams, has created a positive balance of old and young with the likes of Daisy Pearce and Karen Paxman working closely with the younger players coming through, such as Tyla Hanks and Eden Zanker. The impact of the experienced heads of Melbourne’s leaders is powerful, but it’s balanced and supported by the youthful energy that provides a much-needed spark for ageing lists.

Getting to play alongside teenagers just out of high school has improved my motivation , and the different perspectives of the younger cohort has changed the way I lead. Once a very serious leader, I have realised this is not the best approach for everyone, particularly the younger players, so I’ve worked to build an environment that is more fun and enjoyable.

Recently we’ve also seen the impact of the young and old mix benefitting the 2022 AFL men’s premiers, Geelong. The team was not so long ago dubbed “too old and too slow”. Now you can add, “too good”.

The Cats proved that, despite an ageing list, they can still be the best team in the competition. Chris Scott’s introduction of youngsters such as Max Holmes and Sam De Koning added much-needed flare to a list containing veterans such as Joel Selwood, Patrick Dangerfield, Tom Hawkins, Jeremy Cameron, Mark Blicavs and Isaac Smith. Although it was a complete performance by all Geelong players in the grand final, it was the older players who led from the front.

Other examples of older athletes having an influence both on and off the field or the court include Lauren Jackson, who dominated her final game for the Opals at the age of 41, and Lance Franklin, who is still able to perform for the Swans under enormous pressure.

So it raises the question: why can’t other organisations follow what sporting clubs do, and embrace the mix of old and young? Research shows that diversity in the workplace creates greater productivity, but why, when people get to a certain age, are they being moved on? Our older workers can handle the big moments, they can work under stress and can mentor younger colleagues finding their feet. On the flip side, younger people can teach older workers about new ways of working. Both groups have skills and knowledge the other needs. Sport is leading the way - it’s time other organisations embraced the diversity of age.

Emma Kearney is North Melbourne’s AFLW captain.

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