St Francis College students Coopa Steele, Abby Favell and Mikayla Jones are all jetting off to Perth to represent NSW at the under 15s AFL national championships. 

Coopa was selected following a best on ground performance at the state carnival in Albury last term, while Mikayla and Abby impressed in the girls side to also be selected for NSW.

For Coopa it will be a chance to show off his skills as he dreams of one day becoming a professional player in the AFL. 

“This (carnival) is the first big chance to do that … it’s all part of the pathway that can lead you there,” he said. 

All three are in year 9 at St Francis, with both Abby and Mikayla also hoping to one day play Aussie Rules at a high level. 

After the successful introduction of the AFL Women’s League this year that wish could become a reality.   

“We haven’t been playing for all that long, mainly just with the school,” Abby said. 

“I’ve been going and training with the Crows (under 15s) as well, so that’s been good.

“It’s a really fun sport. 

“I like the contact of it.”

The national championships will start on Sunday when the first match is played. 

Coopa felt the NSW side had a big chance of winning the competition. 

“I think we’re definitely in with a chance,” he said. 

“Victoria are going to be really good, but I think we can beat them if we turn up on the day. 

“We’ve got a really good team.”

Coopa thanked his parents, all of his coaches and the team mates he has played with during his young life for helping him get where he is today. 

It was a sentiment echoed by the two girls, with Mikayla looking forward to taking part. 

“I think it’s going to be a lot of fun … we’ll get to make new friends,” she said. “I really like playing footy.”

The girls also thought Victoria would be the yard stick of their competition. 

“They will probably smash us, but hopefully not,” Abby said. “I think we’ll be able to win a fair few games.”

The trio are travelling with their families to Perth for the event and were looking forward to seeing how their skills measure up to others from across the country.