Kellie's ClimbTuesday, March 1, 2016 - 11:12 AM

I got into footy in Year Two when my sports teacher asked if I was interested in playing in a school competition. I was so excited to play, I said yes without any hesitation whatsoever!

There was quite a process behind getting me to play on the team. The competition coordinator, my sports teacher and my parents had a chat about whether certain rules needed to be changed to allow me, a girl, to play. After seeking approval from the team and others involved I went out that weekend with my dad and bought my first pair of footy boots. As soon as we pulled into the driveway, I jumped out of the car, opened the shoebox, slipped on my shiny new boots and kicked the footy around on the front lawn.

After playing in the carnival the primary school Under 10s Coach approached me and ask if I was interested in playing for his junior footy team, the Ellenbrook Dockers. After school that day I was eager to get home as fast as I could and break the exciting news to my parents. We sat down that night as a family, had a big discussion about the offer and I walked away from the table buzzing with excitement after they agreed to let me play. My prior involvement in athletics helped me build on my fitness over the three seasons with the Ellenbrook Dockers. During my time with the club I received runner up Fairest and Best and winning premiership.

What I love about footy is that the sport changes and evolves with you. When I was younger it was something I did completely for fun. I got to run around, kick a ball and slide in the mud after it had been raining. It wasn’t a serious thing and didn’t need to be when I was younger; I was simply playing it because it was super fun!

As I got older and more mature footy became something far greater than kicking the ball around on a Sunday afternoon. I started training outside of football sessions, to make myself a faster, stronger and more elite athlete. I took this sport seriously and my passion grew each season I played. There’s nothing quite like the adrenaline rush you get from running down the opposing player. I love that part of the sport because it's a true measure of the hardwork achieved at the gym. It’s a self-motivating experience that only AFL can give me.

On the field I'm a different person. All I’m thinking about is football. I am constantly asking myself how can I impact the game, work on structures and team plays. Everything is football when it’s game day.

Off the field I’m like everyone else. I’m eager to get to training, I catch up with my mates and ask how their day was, I think about what I have to do at work the next day and what mum is cooking for dinner. It’s all pretty normal on a daily basis.

In the past I have found it hard to balance work, my studies and training. The best advice I can give is to write down everything you have on that week in a calendar so you know what you have to do on certain days. It's all about making it easier for yourself, to help prevent any extra stress. The most important balance, I believe, is training load. It’s so important to balance how much training you do each week. Make sure you give your body the recommended rest so you can perform at your very best.

Registrations are now open and there are many opportunities for girls of all ages to play Australia’s great game! 
Find your local club today at www.playaflwa.com.au