Ahead of the upcoming AFLW Junior Draft Day in April, young gun defender Indi Strom spoke to the Club and reflected on her football journey, hoping to inspire the next generation of young female athletes.

Strom grew up in the remote coastal town of Exmouth in WA’s north, where playing community sport is heavily encouraged, so she took it upon herself to try it all.

“When you’re little, you just play every sport there,” Strom said on Exmouth.

“I played Auskick, (and) would consider myself very lucky being a kid – I got to play with the boys.”

Strom said the opportunity wasn’t guaranteed for all young girls at the time.

“I know a lot of girls now that didn’t really have the opportunities back then to even play and learn with the boys,” Strom said.

A move down to Perth saw Strom’s love for footy take a back seat, as she pursued other sports like netball, she eventually found herself missing football and ready to give it another go.

“I tried out a few different sports, so I didn’t play footy anymore, but then I went down to (Fremantle) CBC (Football Club) one day, and I enjoyed it so much,” Strom said.

“I think it was more the relationships I built with people, finding that connection again within footy and making new friends.”

Encouragement from Indi’s family helped seal her decision to return to football, and it quickly became the best decision she could’ve made.

“I was speaking to my dad actually and he was like, ‘Indi, you should actually have a crack at this footy thing’, so he convinced me to go back down to South Fremantle,” Strom said.

“I played one year there and then got drafted, in my disbelief.”

Now, heading into her second AFLW season, Strom still finds it hard to believe she is a role model for younger girls aspiring to play football.

“I love coming down to clinics – it’s so good we get to do these things,” Strom said.

“I feel like, growing up in a small town especially, we didn’t have anyone to look up to or that came down to our trainings.

“I never thought that me coming down to these (clinics that there’d) be some kids looking up to us – I never thought that would be something we could do.”

Strom gave her words of wisdom to the next generation who are thinking about giving it a crack.

“Don’t be afraid to give it a go – you’ll make so many new friends and it’s all about having fun.”

Fremantle’s AFLW Junior Draft Day is set to be held on Wednesday 15 April at Victor George Kailis Oval, 4-6pm, for young girls and boys aged Pre Primary to Year 6.

These recruits will get the opportunity to visit Fremantle’s facilities and participate in footy skills, fun games and a signing session, delivered by players from the Club’s AFLW squad.