Fremantle AFLW players make trip to Geraldton for community visit, helping grow the game in regional athletes

Geraldton school kids had a special treat this week when Fremantle AFLW players Aine Tighe and Orlagh Lally paid a visit to help strengthen community ties and inspire young footballers.

While in Geraldton, the players and members of the Dockers community staff paid visits to schools, teaching skills to girls, and hoping to inspire a new generation of players.

A fifth-year player for Freo, this is the second community trip for Tighe, who said that they try to reach as many students as possible.

“Just trying to get around to the girls, give them as many opportunities as possible and engaging with as many as we can,” she said.

“The energy and enthusiasm they have when they see us coming is something that makes it really, really special.”

Tighe and Lally have had unconventional paths to the AFLW; coming from Ireland and playing Gaelic Football, they had to adjust to Aussie rules.

Now they are teaching kids about the sport, which Lally said has been an adjustment.

“It was definitely a bit of a challenge, especially learning the rules and getting used to the Sherrin,” she said.

“We just want to be able to help other girls trying to make a pathway like us.

“I supposed myself and Aine have a similar story, we both picked up AFLW at 20 or mid 20s, and I suppose it shows to these girls that it’s never too late to pick it up.”

The players share their stories and hope to inspire the regional athletes, opening a pathway for kids who don’t have as many opportunities as metropolitan athletes.

“Even on our own squad, we’ve got a couple of girls who have come from regional areas and come from different sports,” Tighe said.

While in town, community staffer Wade Spilcker and life member Roger Hayden also worked with the Mid West Talent Academy, which has shown huge growth in recent years.

“Over the last 18 to 24 months, we’ve seen a real increase in participants in our next generation academy through the Mid West area,” Spilcker said.

The stop in Geraldton is one of multiple regional visits that the crew will make, with Hayden saying that it provides opportunities for kids who cannot make regular metro trips.

“So for us to come up here and make those connections is really important for us moving forward,” he said.

The visit culminates in the Freo Dockers Cup and Lightning Carnival, with students from the schools that the girls visit having a chance to show off their skills against each other.

“Female footy in particular is growing hugely over the last number of years,” Tighe said.

“To be able to show those young girls especially coming through the pathways that there are role models there and they can make a career out of it and enjoy it at whatever level they want is really rewarding.”