Chatswood girl to live ultimate AFL experience

By Isabelle O’Brien

Seven year old Chatswood local Ella Eagleton was the lucky nominee of the ‘NAB Auskicker of the Year’ this week, the first Sydney sider to receive the nomination for 2015.

Ella, who plays for the Willoughby Wildcats and is in her first year of Auskick, will now have the once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of the 2015 Toyota AFL Grand Final parade, as well as present a Premiership medal to an AFL player in front of thousands at the MCG on AFL Grand Final Day.

As part of the prize, Ella also gets to have Geelong captain, superstar Joel Selwood as her personal footy mentor for 2016.

“This is such a fantastic initiative by NAB to recognise the young stars of our game,” Selwood said of the Auskicker of the Year competition.

“The award emphasises the importance of being a good teammate and looks beyond the best player on the ground.

I wish a competition like this was around when I played Auskick.” Selwood said.

AFL NSW/ACT Sydney Harbour General Manager, Simon Wilson echoed this sentiment.

“NAB AFL Auskick is a wonderful program to develop grassroots footy across the country,” Wilson said.

“As AFL is a game that embraces diversity it is fantastic to see a young female Auskicker from our local area be rewarded with this amazing opportunity.”

The Willoughby Public School student also goes in the running to win a NAB Reward Saver account with $5000 as part of the prize.

Ella hopes to see her favourite team, the Sydney Swans when she’s on the MCG on Grand Final day and has big plans if she wins the NAB account prize, disclosing how she plans to spend the $5000 when asked by AFL commentator Hamish McLachlan.

“I’ll get a white puppy, with a Swans vest and I’m going to call it Goodesy,” Ella said.

Anyone interested in AFL or Auskick, head to www.playafl.com.au.

For your child to have the chance to be nominated for the NAB Auskicker of the Year, head to www.aflauskick.com.au.

Willoughby Wildcat, Ella Eagleton being interviewed by Hamish McLachlan

Sydney’s first Auskicker of the Year 2015 nominee, Ella Eagleton.