Ashandra Bond (centre) received this year’s Kathleen Peter Medal after emulating the AFL Cape York alumnus at the Under 17 Pacific Nations Challenge in Cairns. Photo: Supplied.
Young AFL stars in the making are following in the footsteps of their predecessors as they shine on and off the field.
The Cape York Crusaders, a team made up of AFL Cape York boarding students from across the region, were invited to the Under 17 Pacific Nations Challenge in Cairns earlier this month – and the Crusaders girls took top spot as carnival champions.
Two standout players were selected by the AFL Cape York coaching staff to be awarded the Kathleen Peter Medal (female) and Thomas Holland Medal (male).
AFL Cape York regional development co-ordinator Kieran Sciberras said each medal carried the name of a legendary alumnus who had excelled after going through the Crusaders program.
“They’re named after two former players who’ve come through the pathway,” he said.
“Tommy Holland, one of the original Crusaders, and Kathleen Peter, one of the first female players who made it all the way up to Queensland when it was only boys really playing the sport.”
Ashandra Bond was this year named Kathleen Peter Medallist; Corey Anderson received the Thomas Holland Medal.
“As well as displaying responsibility, pride and respect, Tommy’s physicality and mental toughness during his playing days were something Corey emulated really well,” Sciberras said.
“He was a standout among his peers. He played very well throughout the carnival and did all the right things.”
He said the Kathleen Peter Medal was especially important in showing girls they had the potential to excel in the sport as much as the boys.
“You can’t be what you can’t see,” he said.
“It’s really good to see, especially in the women’s space, more female footballers taking to the game and being able to emulate role models like Kathleen Peter who have paved the way.
“Going from not having an under-12s all-girls team to now having under-12s, under-14s and under-17s girls … they’re getting the same opportunities as the boys now, which is really promising.”
Thomas Holland Medallist Corey Anderson (left) stands alongside award namesake and original Crusader player Thomas Holland. Photo: Supplied.
