Katie Lynch – Collingwood AFLW Pick 11
It is clear over the phone just how proud Katie’s mum, Nadia is of her daughter being Pick 11 in the AFLW draft, snatched up by Collingwood. Nadia speaks of Katie’s strength and robust attitude on her quest to play the game she loves. Which is something her new coach, Wayne Siekman spoke of when asked about Pick 11! He spoke immediately of her good character, good leadership and strength before mentioning that all important left foot! See full interview on link below.
Katie started her love of footy from a young age, playing Auskick before starting in Tackers at Camberwell Sharks Junior Football Club. Here at the Sharks, she played with the boys from Tackers through to Under 14s. In 2011, when playing in Under 11, Katie was announced YJFL Best and Fairest (even up against the boys)! Under 14 was to be Katie’s last year at the Sharks though due to there being no girls team available and the league didn’t allow girls to play with boys after Under 14s. Unfortunately for the Club and the game, Katie was forced to stop playing football. But her love of sport and that robust attitude, lead her to netball which she had always loved playing in the off season of footy anyway. But her time away from footy was short lived.
Thankfully for the game, Katie had a friend who got her back in to footy, this time at Kew Rovers where she would play her final years of Junior Football before heading on to Oakleigh Chargers, VFLW Collingwood and as of Tuesday last week – the big one – AFLW Collingwood for Season 2019! But we can’t skip that far without mentioning a few highlights along the way. Selection for the The Yarra Junior Football League representative teams, The V Squad where she was the only girl selected! Vic Metro team this year, the All Australian U18s squad, and the invitation to the Draft Combine just to mention a few. And all this while studying for her VCE this year – now that shows strength in every meaning of the word!
Well done Katie, we are proud to have you as an ex Shark!! Not to mention the all important role model for our 100+ girls who play at our Club across many ages. And like Mark Anderson, CEO of Collingwood said in his interview on link below, there is no better time to be a girl playing football than right now!
Go Sharks! Go Collingwood!
Click on the link here to see footage of the moment Katie Lynch is drafted!
Link to Collingwood FC Website and the interviews around Katie Lynch’s Pick!
If you or someone you know is keen to give girls footy a go – then click on this link to details on our FREE 5 Week Girls Summer Program – starts soon – Wednesday November 7! Open to all abilities. Go Sharks!