Amelia's special place in Footy Record

SPORTS enthusiast Amelia Courtney has big dreams of one day playing in the AFLW.

But the Sacred Heart College student never expected to see herself featured in a Footy Record while she was still only in Year 7.

She got a big surprise this month when a story she wrote about her passion for playing the game was chosen to be featured in the 2021 AFWL Grand Final Edition of the magazine.

Amelia wrote the descriptive piece as part of a school project with the topic of ‘My Special Place’.

Her English teacher (and Junior AFL Coach) Carl Tracey was so impressed with her writing that he sent her draft on to the AFL.

Amelia’s article as it appeared in the 2021 AFLW Grand Final edition of the AFL Record.

The story made its way to the inbox of the Footy Record’s editor and eventually onto the pages of the national publication.

“It was a nice surprise and I was really grateful to Mr Tracey for sending it in,” Amelia said.

“My mum and dad spread the news to our family and other people – they were very excited.”

Amelia, who is about to turn 13, has been playing the game since she was in Grade 4 and says she took it up because her family members are avid footy fans, with Amelia barracking for Essendon.

The keen midfielder, who attended Lara Lake Primary School and also plays basketball, is currently preparing to try out for the Sacred Heart football team.

“I just love playing on a team and I really like the rules of the game,” she says. “It’s a game you can play with friends which is really good.”

The cover of the Record from the Crows v Lions Grand Final edition.

Mr Tracey said Amelia’s piece stood out because it made the reader feel as if they were out there on the footy field with her.

“As soon as I read her piece, I thought it deserved a wider audience and decided to send it off to the AFL,” he said.

“It was a lovely surprise when the editor of the Footy Record phoned to ask if I thought Amelia would be interested in having her piece published in the AFWL Grand Final Edition of the AFL Record. I was proud and excited for her.”

If Amelia does eventually achieve her goal of playing women’s football at the highest level she will be in good company, with several Sacred Heart alumni currently playing in the AFLW.