When times are tough and you’re feeling down, remember this - the best athletes in the world have walked in your shoes. They’ve faced doubt, pressure, setbacks and moments where it all felt too hard.
That’s why ICONS exists. Our athletes are here to share their real stories - the highs, the lows and everything in between - to remind you that resilience is built through those challenging moments. Their journeys are proof that you can keep going, stay connected to the game you love, and show up for your teammates just as they show up for you.
Because sport is more than just what happens on the field. It’s about community, support and having people beside you when you need it most. You’re not alone. Even when it doesn’t feel like it, there are people in your corner - your friends, your teammates, your family - all backing you 100%. And so are we.
GEORGIA KAVANAGH
FOOTY ISN’T ALWAY A SMOOTH JOURNEY
Georgia shares her story of moving in and out of her rep team, never knowing from week to week if she would play, and leaning heavily on her support system to stay positive throughout the uncertainty.
NOAH YZE
INJURY AND SACRIFICE
With a well-known AFL father, Noah reflects on his own footy journey -navigating injury, time away from friends and the highs and lows of making and missing out on representative teams.
GRACE BABA
STAYING CONNECTED WHEN INJURED
Grace highlights the importance of staying connected to your club and teammates during injury, and the role that support plays in the recovery journey.
JOSIE BAMFORD
RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF DISAPPOINTMENT
As a professional AFLW player, Josie’s journey hasn’t always been smooth - she has faced the disappointment of missing team selections and sacrificed family holidays to train and play, showing her dedication and resilience every step of the way.
BILLY FOSTER
IT’S OK TO STRUGGLE, BUT NOT TO GIVE UP
Billy highlights the importance of resilience in AFL and the power of never giving up, drawing on his own experience of changing clubs and relocating from Wollongong to Sydney for the love of AFL.
SARA HOWlEY
MOVING CAN BE TOUGH
When Sara was drafted, she achieved a lifelong goal, but it also meant moving interstate and leaving her family behind. Luckily, new friends and her love of footy made the journey completely worthwhile.
PEPPA POULTNEY
INJURY ISN’T THE END OF THE WORLD
When Peppa suffered an injury, she worried about its impact on her game and her spot in the team. But through hard work and dedication, she has returned stronger than ever.
GEORGIE BRISBANE
BALANCING FOOTY AND FRIENDS
With her sights set on making the AFLW - a goal she ultimately achieved -Georgie faced backlash and jealousy from friends who didn’t fully understand her passion and determination.
EVIE PARKER
THERE IS ALWAYS A CHANCE FOR DEVELOPMENT
Even when you’re sidelined by injury or missed selection, there’s always an opportunity to learn, sharpen your skills, and continue supporting your teammates.
EMMA DI PETTA
NOT GETTING DRAFTED ISN’T THE END
Emma shares her story of the disappointment of not being drafted, and how she came to understand that it wasn’t the end of her footy journey, continuing to pursue her passion by playing in the VFLW.
ANDREW BARKER
INJURY IS NOT THE END OF YOUR JOURNEY
When Andrew broke his leg, he feared his footy journey was over - but in reality, it was just the beginning.
ZOE VOZZO
FRIENDS AND FOOTY
Not everything will go your way on your footy journey, but the friendships you build along the way make it all worthwhile.
JORDY ALLEN
THE EXTERNAL PRESSURE TO SUCCEED
As a leading AFLW prospect, Jordy faced intense pressure from her sporting community. Through the challenges and expectations, she leaned on the support of her family and friends, which helped her stay grounded and focused on her journey.
RILEY DILLION
DEALING WITH INJURY
Riley’s passion for the game runs so deep that not even a devastating injury could keep him on the sidelines for long. He now plays in the VFL with the Giants while also giving back to the next generation as a junior coach.
KAYLA DALGLESISH
JOURNEY THROUGH INJURY, DRAFT AND MOVING AWAY FROM HOME
Kayla’s footy journey has been full of challenges, culminating in a big move from Victoria to Western Australia after being drafted by the Eagles.
TAYLA MCMILLAN
THE PRESSURE OF LEADERSHIP
When Tayla was named captain of her footy team, the pressure of leadership affected how she approached the game - but with support all around her, she learned to rise to the challenge.
TOM HITCHINGS
THE CHALLENGE OF CHANGING JUNIOR CLUBS
When his family moved from Sydney’s north to the Eastern Suburbs, Tom was forced to leave the footy club where he’d spent his entire junior career, navigating the challenge of starting fresh and building new friendships along the way.
LOUISE TYSON
INJURY FROM ANOTHER SPORT
All it took was one game in another sport for Louise to suffer a devastating injury - but she turned it into a positive by focusing on new opportunities during her recovery.
It’s not only AFL and AFLW players that have walked in your shoes
Away from the bounce of the ball and the four goal posts, iconic athletes are all around us—each with a powerful story of perseverance and resilience, reminding us that you are never alone on your sporting journey.
Discover stories of encouragement and inspiration from our incredible line-up of Olympians, World Champions, and Para-athletes.