KANGAROO Valley’s Lily Robinson appears set for a big career on the Australian Football field, after being named in the inaugural Sydney Swans under 12s youth girls academy program.
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Despite only playing the sport for a short period of time, after starting in the under 10s, the Kangaroo Valley Public School student has shown enough talent to be offered a position in the prestigious Swans program.
“My mum first found out about the Sydney Swans academy youth girls open athletes assessment trials via the AFL South Coast Youth Girls Facebook page,” Robinson said.
“I then attended the trials in September, held at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
“During this two and half hour session, I was put through a series of drills and skills.”
One month later, in October, Robinson received a letter congratulating her on selection in the inaugural under 12s youth girls academy program.
“When I found out I’d made the squad, I was really excited,” she said.
“I actually read the back of the letter first, which outlined my scores for each of the drills and skills rotations that I did, before reading the acceptance part of the letter on the front.”
Robinson, 11, will now travel up to Sydney once a week to train with the squad – which runs for 13 weeks for three years.
“At the induction, the academy outlined many expectations that they had for us girls and named mentors that are part of the program,” Robinson said.
“They are aiming to develop us not only as football players, but as well rounded girls.
“After the three years, we will then go through another assessment and if selected again, we will start another three year program.
“This will then lead into selection for the first Sydney Swans female team.”
Robinson, who is a Bomaderry Tigers junior, credits both her parents Gav and Lyn for her development – which she hopes will see her one day play professionally in the women’s AFL competition.
“My mum has been my only coach up to this point, coaching the Bomaderry under 11s side, while my dad drives me up to Sydney for all the sessions with the Swans – we all love the AFL,” she said.
“Without their commitment, I wouldn’t have secured this great opportunity with the Swans.”