Sara Howley

AFLW Player - Born 2006 from Geelong, VIC

Moving interstate at 18 was always going to be a significant challenge, but the most difficult part was leaving behind my friends and family, without knowing exactly when I would see them again.

The experience forced me to grow up quickly, as I had to learn the fundamentals of cooking, cleaning, and managing life independently. Having four housemates, as well as my fellow GWS draftee Grace, who was navigating a similar transition, made the adjustment far easier and provided a strong sense of support.

Fortunately, the short flight back to Victoria meant I could always plan trips home, which gave me something to look forward to and the reassurance of knowing when I would reconnect with family and friends.

My family also made the effort to visit me regularly and stayed in close contact through daily calls, which made the distance feel much smaller. At the same time, spending most days with my teammates it was very easy to form such great connections, and I found myself missing my Sydney friends when I returned home to Victoria. It was a moment that made me realise how much I had grown, adapted, and built a sense of belonging in a new place.