Photographer Kate Box is a 2024 Shine Awards nominee

In the town that produced dual-Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps, Kate Box is ensuring there’s a record of any more future champions that come through the ranks.

The 800-strong town of Northampton in Western Australia has produced multiple AFL legends, including newly-crowned dual Brownlow Medallist Patrick Cripps.

It’s the perfect fodder for community advocate Kate Box who has combined her love of sport and photography to produced hugely popular personalised footy player cards.

Kate has captured players across all teams in Northampton and made around 15,000 personalised player cards last year alone.

Following in her grandfather and father’s footsteps, as football photographers, Kate said she tries to get to as many games as possible.

“All the kids get a footy card and photo of everyone in their team … I started that up three years ago and everyone is loving them,” she said.

Kate Box with her two youngest kids, Kallen, 8, and Adele, 5. Picture: Claire Martin

The mum of three knows the importance of sport to the vibrancy of the footy-obsessed town, and was instrumental in creating an under-8s football team a few years ago, of which there are now two.

She is also currently trying to form boys and girls basketball teams.

“Growing up in Geraldton, you’re just around the corner from every sport and it was never a problem. But in (Northampton) you really rely on the community bringing these things together,” she said.

“35 minutes doesn’t seem that long but, you know, it’s a 50km drive to (Geraldton), and it’s driving back at night time on open roads and the fuel and all the extra bits and bobs. When we have all the stuff here, why not do it?”

Children play with Kate's custom made cards that represent their team. Picture: Claire Martin

But it’s not only through sport that Kate has made significant contributions to the town.

She has also helped raise more than $90,000 for various causes throughout Northampton, including supporting locals with cancer, raising funds for the local schools, and supporting recovery efforts after Cyclone Seroja tore through the town in 2021.

“Fundraising has become a passion of mine to go that step further to help those in need, because I know I have the support behind me in the community to make it work,” Kate said.

Kate Box has been nominated for the 2024 Shine Awards, which celebrate the achievements of rural and regional women across Australia. Click here to nominate an outstanding woman you know.