St Ives Players Reach A New Milestone
In 2017 several of Macquarie University’s Junior Pathways clubs embarked on the journey of introducing a girl’s footy program. Unbeknownst to them the interest and take up of AFL was huge and six years on the programs continue to go from strength to strength.
St Ives AFC, nestled on the edge of Garigal National Park, at Acron Oval, St Ives, has recently created a new piece of club history by celebrating its first two female centurions. Both girls were there ‘in the beginning’ and played multiple games for multiple sides as St Ives grew the program. One of them will be aging out this year, hopefully destined for senior football somewhere, and has already amassed more than 110 games, the other has a season and a half to go and is already exploring senior footy with MUAFC, with just over 100 games to her name.
100 games – Profile
Name : Maddie Lawson
Nickname : Madds
Position : Back, utility player
Junior Club : St Ives Junior AFL
Number of games: 112
Maddie is a quiet achiever. She always puts in 100% on the field and never takes a back step. Whilst she appears quiet and unassuming, her determination to play at her best and go hard at the footy is never in question. Maddie was a part of the inaugural St Ives Youth Girls in 2017 and has played every season since. Often, she will play 2 games on a day to help out other teams with numbers. Maddie has become an accomplished AFL youth player and has exceptional kicking skills. Maddie has also done her bit for the club with recruitment. Thanks to Maddie we have a number of new youth girl’s players that have joined the club based on her recommendations. Maddie reached her 100th game milestone in 2022. Rather than seek glory for this outstanding achievement, Maddie was happy to let other teammates take the limelight for their own 50th game milestones. This speaks of Maddie’s commitment to her team and selfless attitude. Maddie is a pleasure to coach, always taking instruction and striving to improve her skills. Maddie will agree to play any position on the field without question or complaint. St Ives AFL club is honoured to have Maddie as a long-standing participant, and she is a valued team mate to all who play with her.
100 games – Profile
Name: Steph Wilkins
Nickname : The Stephanator
Position : Half back, midfield, half forward
Junior Club : St Ives Junior AFL
Number of Games: 101
Stephie is the original hard working footy player that every coach dreams of having in their team. Ever reliable, does not shirk a contest and has silky skills. She is the first one to be picked when the team is selected. You can count on her to put in 100% at every training session and on game day. Her foot passing is exceptional, and her marking ability is up there with the best.
Stephie has been a stalwart of the St Ives Youth Girls footy program since it’s inception in 2017. One memorable experience was Stephie (aged 9 years) playing in the 2017 under 15 YG grand final. Her efforts in that game made such an impression on the opposition that they could not believe her age.
Stephie has reached her 100-game milestone via guts and determination. She is a representative footy player and has a bright future ahead in senior footy.
We congratulate Stephie on a wonderful achievement of reaching 100 games.
