Indiana Gosbell-Smith is a talented young athlete who has recently been selected into the Brisbane Lions AFL Academy. This is a fantastic opportunity for Indi as this is the pathway into the Brisbane Lions Women’s AFL team.
Indi has only been playing AFL for four years after being very successful in gymnastics and aerobics which she had done since she was young. Her family and Mr Modlin encouraged her to have a go at AFL as she is a strong athletic young lady. She quickly learned the game and began to excel in it. She also enjoys rugby league and rugby sevens and I am sure I don’t want to be tackled by her! Indi also represented the Sunshine Coast at the QLD Schools Rugby League Championships earlier in the year.
Sandgate Hawks is Indi’s local AFL club. She learned and improved in AFL quickly and is one of the clubs strongest female players. She plays as a ruckman and is renowned for her tackling in the centre of the oval. Indi says “communication is the key to the ruckman position as I need to direct play and have players in the right place for each ball up”.
Indi trialled against 90 Under 17 girls who play club AFL from all over South East Queensland. After several trials, Indi was selected in the final 30 player squad. This team trains twice a week and will play games against the Gold Coast Suns U17 Academy team. Indi is loving training at this high level and has made many new friends in the squad.
Indi is currently working alongside Mrs Stott in her PE lessons every Wednesday as part of her Sport and Rec Certificate course. Students have enjoyed her expertise when teaching and demonstrating AFL during the lessons. She is an inspiration to all our young students.
We look forward to watching Indi’s progress as she strives to play AFL and all oval ball games at the highest level.
