Deja gains selection in national team

Deja Barlow will not only be representing AFL North Coast when she steps out on the national stage this week, she’ll also be proudly celebrating her Aboriginal heritage as part of the Woomeras national Indigenous team.

Deja, 16, is a proud Gamilaroi and Wiradjuri woman who has been selected in the Woomeras team after she participated in AFL NSW/ACT’s Indigenous Youth Girls Leadership Program. That program included a three day camp which assessed players’ leadership ability, footy skills, and fitness. Deja was one of eight standouts who have been given the opportunity to play with and against the best rising Indigenous and multicultural talent in the nation.

The Woomeras program is for female players in the Under 16 age group. A parallel national program is conducted for girls from a multicultural background called the Medleys, and these two teams will meet in Melbourne for a camp running across Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 June. The highlight of this camp will be a match between the two teams on Sunday, played as a curtain raiser to an Under 17 Futures League fixture which will likely mean that scouts are watching.

Deja is understandably excited by the opportunity presented.

“My goal is to play for the Sydney Swans in the AFLW and I’m excited to think that the Woomeras program will help me as I work towards that goal,” Deja said.

“This is a great opportunity for me to now only grow as a footballer, but to also learn more Indigenous culture and leadership.”

Mark Leavy, AFL NSW/ACT Diversity Partner, Indigenous, said “It’s wonderful to see so many players from Indigenous and multicultural backgrounds getting the opportunity to join an elite talent pathway.

“Some of these players are just beginning their football journey and there’s no doubt programs like this will further improve their abilities on the field and off it.”

Deja has already been involved in an online induction program for the Woomeras and will gain ongoing access to a national online mentoring program to improve both her leadership and footy skills, which runs until December.