Inaugural AFLW Leaders Named
Originally published by GWS GIANTS.
Western Sydney school teacher Amanda Farrugia will lead the GIANTS as captain in the inaugural NAB AFL Women’s season.
Farrugia was announced as captain in front of her team mates this week ahead of the GIANTS’ first NAB AFL Women’s match in Adelaide against the Crows on February 4.
Born and raised in Western Sydney, Farrugia – affectionately known as ‘Fridge’ – discovered Australian Football when looking for a new activity to stay fit.
After joining Macquarie University in 2011, Farrugia has led her home club for the past two seasons in the local competition and was awarded the 2015 Mostyn Medal as the Best and Fairest player in the Sydney AFL Women’s competition.
The 31-year old will lead a five woman leadership group that includes marquee signing Emma Swanson as vice-captain, local star Maddy Collier, Victorian midfielder Jessica Dal Pos and ACT veteran and former WNBL legend Jess Bibby.
The five woman leadership group, alongside AFLW coach Tim Schmidt, will form a key aspect of the GIANTS’ partnership with relocation and storage specialists the Grace Group who have joined the club as AFLW Leadership Partner for the next two seasons.
The GIANTS’ leadership group was selected by both the playing group and the coaching panel and Farrugia said she was proud to be elected by her peers to lead the first ever GIANTS’ women’s side.
“It’s a huge honour to be named captain for the inaugural season,” said Farrugia.
“I’m humbled by the opportunity and the responsibility that comes with this role.
“While I’ve got the title next to my name, I’m confident that we’ve got a fantastic group of players who all have their own leadership style and will share the leadership with me.”
On announcing the captaincy, AFLW Coach Tim Schmidt said Farrugia was a standout candidate.
“Amanda is a brilliant communicator, a passionate person who upholds the values of our team,” said Schmidt.
“On and off the field she gives one hundred per cent to everything she does and has the respect of the entire playing group.”
GIANTS Chief Executive David Matthews welcomed the announcement less than a month out from the GIANTS’ first ever AFLW match.
“This is a historic appointment for the GIANTS and Amanda is the ideal person to lead this group in the inaugural NAB AFL Women’s season,” Mr Matthews said.
“To have a player from Western Sydney chosen by her peers to lead the GIANTS is a sign of the growth of Australian Football in this region in recent years.
“Strong leadership has been a key element of the GIANTS men’s team with Callan Ward and Phil Davis leading the club brilliantly on the field in our formative years and I’ve got no doubt Amanda will continue to take our club’s on-field leadership to new heights.”
To become a member of the GIANTS’ AFL Women’s side, visit membership.gwsgiants.com.au
The Grace Group is a leading multi service organisation, which has been providing Australian families and businesses with specialised relocation and storage solutions for over 100 years, making it a perfect fit to partner with the GIANTS AFLW Leadership group and coaches in their first year of competition. To learn more about the Grace Group, click here.
