Queenslanders Te’anna Fujii (Marsden, QLD), Moesha Morris (Edmonton, QLD), Pamai Dau (Condon, QLD) and Delma Gisu (Wulguru, QLD) have departed for Auckland as part of the 2015 AFL Indigenous Woomeras team tour.
Currently in its second year, the AFL Indigenous Woomeras program focusses on personal development and leadership for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women aged 14 -18 years-old.
Selected from the National Female AFL KickStart Championships, the AFL Indigenous Woomeras is a national under 18 female development program which immerses participants in an elite training environment with the aim of increasing football skills, personal development and leadership skills.
The squad of 21 assembled in Melbourne for an induction, training session and a team dinner before departing to New Zealand, with many participants on their first international flight.
Led by Head Coach and current AFL Sydney playing-coach Chereta Daylight, the program will be supported by a team from the AFL’s diversity programs.
The AFL Indigenous Woomeras program has been established to provide young Indigenous females with the opportunity to develop on and off the football field.
Highlights of the tour include a cultural exchange and rafting in Rotorua, hiking in the Tongiraro Crossing, a visit to Te Puia and traditional Polynesian recovery spa with a special focus on building resilience and communication skills.
AFL Diversity Manager Ali Fahour said the AFL Woomeras program has developed and grown in numbers since its launch last year, representing a fantastic opportunity for the participants to learn, develop, and give back to their respective communities.
“This is the second time we take the Woomeras on an international development program and we look forward to being immersed in the New Zealand Indigenous culture and developing our young Indigenous athletes to go on to become great leaders in their community or potentially participate in the proposed national women’s league.
“We’re excited to be back here and to have a two-game series against the New Zealand Kahu, a team made up of the best female players in New Zealand.
“We have quite a few talented players to watch – Emily McGuire who is a member of the WA AFL Female Talent Academy is set for a big 2016, while Sophie Townsend is a Tasmanian who brings a wealth of leadership experience to the squad.
“Our participants recognise the widespread social and cultural benefits involved with travelling to another country to represent their culture, their community and their country,” Mr Fahour said.
Following the final match, the Truganini Medal will be presented to the player who best represents the four pillars of the AFL Woomeras program. The four pillars are Communication, Resilience, Decision Making and Identity.
The medal, named in honour of Truganini, recognises her contribution as a leader to Indigenous women both past and present.
2015 Indigenous Woomeras Squad:
Te’anna Fujii (Marsden, QLD), Moesha Morris (Edmonton, QLD), Madison Yarran (Beckenham, WA), Danika Corcoran (Youngtown, TAS), Pamai Dau (Condon, QLD), Tamika Coyne (Mount Barker, WA), Brahe Reid (Cowra, NSW), Delma Gisu (Wulguru, QLD), Elise Muller (Melton, VIC), Alyx Glanville (Echuca, VIC), Carron Daveson (Moonta Bay, SA), Jessica Stassi (Winnellie, NT), Hayley Smith (Ballarat, VIC) Kiarra White (Braitling, NT), Tyeisha Tighe (Glebe, NSW), Ashley Murphy (South Hobart, TAS), Tayla Thorn (Bellamack, NT), Jacana Drill (Hurstbridge, VIC), Sophie Townsend (Burnie, TAS), Chekena Wilson (Glebe, NSW), Emily MacGuire (Wattle Grove, WA).
