Bathurst local returns home from NAB AFLW Grand Final experience

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 09: during the 2022 AFLW Grand Final match between the Adelaide Crows and the Melbourne Demons at Adelaide Oval on April 09, 2022 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos)

Bathurst Giant’s Katie Kennedy has returned home from a trip of a lifetime, as part of her role as a 2022 Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Ambassador.

 

Katie was one of seven community football representatives from across the country to be named as a 2022 Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Ambassador and travelled to Adelaide Oval to be part of the 2022 NAB AFLW Grand Final between Adelaide Crows and Melbourne.

 

As part of the Grand Final festivities, Katie attended the official Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Ambassador Grand Final breakfast, enjoyed a meet and greet opportunity with AFLW players and AFL General Manager of Women’s Football Nicole Livingstone, and was part of the on-field presentation of the 2022 AFLW Premiership Cup, thanks to Chemist Warehouse.

In addition to the 2022 NAB AFLW Grand Final experience, each Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Ambassador received a $1,000 grant from the Women’s Football Fund to donate to the club of their choice.

 

Established in 2021, the Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Ambassador program was developed to recognise members of the female football community who have been instrumental in facilitating and nurturing the remarkable growth of women’s football.

 

Despite growing up in a strong rugby league town, Katie Kennedy’s passion for AFL has been pivotal in the development and growth of women’s football in Bathurst.

 

First picking up the football in NAB AFL Auskick, Katie played for a number of seasons at junior and senior level before turning her attention to recruiting and developing the foundation Senior Women’s team at the Bathurst GIANTS.

 

Katie’s drive and determination was instrumental in growing female participation at the club to more than 120 girls and women, whilst the newly created Senior women’s team went on to play in the Grand Final in its first year and claimed the 2019 and 2020 Premierships. Katie is the Captain of the Senior Women’s team and the Coach of the Youth Girls team and continues to work tirelessly transitioning players between the two to ensure future growth.

 

“It’s such an honour to be selected to represent NSW and be part of this incredible Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Ambassador experience. Women’s football in Bathurst is slowly emerging and whilst we have a lot of competition with other sporting codes, it’s amazing to see the sport grow and how far we’ve developed after just four years,” Katie said.

 

AFL General Manager of Women’s Football, Nicole Livingstone said it was a terrific opportunity to come together and celebrate the contribution of this year’s Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Ambassadors.

“We are proud to recognise each of our 2022 Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Ambassadors and thank Chemist Warehouse for its support of the initiative,” Ms Livingstone said.

 

“The NAB AFLW competition is the result of many years of tireless work from dedicated people, like our 2022 Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Ambassadors, so it was wonderful to have the opportunity to celebrate their contribution and provide them with an unforgettable experience at the 2022 NAB AFLW Grand Final.”

Chemist Warehouse has supported the NAB AFLW competition since its inception and continues to champion women and female football across both the community and elite level.

 

Director at Chemist Warehouse, Mario Tascone said, “Chemist Warehouse is delighted to continue its support of the 2022 Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Ambassador program and give back to these deserving community football members for their unwavering dedication to women and girls football.”

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