Local trio named to Victorian side

THREE local footballers have been selected to compete at the Under 12 Australian Football Championships later this year.

Moriac Primary School pupil and St Mary’s Sporting Club junior Addison “Addi” Giles says it will be a “super cool” experience to represent Victoria when she heads to Lavington, New South Wales from August 5-11.

“Knowing that I’ve made it this far is a really good feeling,” Addi said.

“I went through two trials in Melbourne, the first had 190 players, then the second had to 50, then I found out I made the team over a livestream last Thursday.

“Once they read out my name, it was very exciting.”

The Grade 6 pupil will join fellow Surf Coast player Violet Myers (St Therese School – Torquay Football Club) and Barwon Heads Primary School pupil (Barwon Heads Football Club) Matilda Cole, who has been named as an emergency, in Lavington.

Giles, an avid Sydney Swans supporter, looks up to players such as Errol Gulden and AFLW superstar Tayla Harris.

Addi is also one of four school captains at Moriac Primary School and says her leadership skills in school translates to her leadership on the field.

“It helps with being able to talk to people even if I don’t know them,” she said.

“It’s good to be a vocal leader and encourage my team as much as I can.”

Addi’s mother, Lauren, said she was incredibly proud to hear her daughter’s name read out during last week’s livestream, witnessing first-hand how much work her daughter puts into her football skills.

“My husband, Aaron, and I were thrilled.

“We know how much she lives and breathes her football, how much extra training she does with her coaches during the off-season, she really loves her sport.

“Seeing how she trialled, we hoped she would get picked, but you never know, all we can really ask her to do is her best, it’s a really good result for her.”

Addi’s father played for Vic Metro and the Sandringham Dragons, while her grandfather Glenn Giles, played in the VFL for Melbourne and for Victoria.

Victoria’s main squad consists of 23 players, with four other players named as emergencies.

Other states and territories competing in Lavington include the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.