Ararat footballer Isabella Simmons is one step closer to achieving her dream of playing football at the highest level.
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Her passion for the sport could soon become a reality after she got accepted into the AFL Women’s academy.
“I don’t know if I can put (getting into the AFL Women’s academy) into words to be honest, it was a bit of a surprise,” she said.
Simmons has spent two years playing club football for the Ararat Storm.
In that short space of time she has caught the eyes of TAC Cup side Greater Western Victoria Rebels.
Krystal Cameron, her former coach at the Storm, said Simmons had something special from the start.
“She started playing for Storm two years ago, when I was coaching there,” Cameron said. “She was there playing with the boys up until then and she was quite impressive with her kicking and marking ability.
“So we knew straight away that she was one of the girls to keep an eye on.”
Cameron said Simmons could become a vital player for whatever club she goes to.
“Her biggest strength is probably her kicking ability but also her running ability,” she said. “She will probably be a key position player at some point.”
Although she started playing as a centre half forward and half forward flank at the Rebels, Simmons said she would want to do more running.
“I would love to play a bit more of the running type, so in the wing or even ruck rover, but I would love to play wing,” she said.
Despite growing up as a Collingwood supporter, Simmons said it wouldn’t matter what club she played for as long as she was in the AFLW.
We knew straight away that she was one of the girls to keep an eye on.
- Krystal Cameron
“My dream would be to play for Collingwood, that would be the goal, but just to play for any team would make me happy,” she said.
“It would be so awesome to be at that level, I don’t think I would care what team I play for.”