I am raising funds to support Taya’s selection in the SSWA Under 14s Girls State AFL Team. This selection means Taya will be traveling to Bundoora, Victoria, from July 24th to August 1st, 2026, to compete in the National Championships.

The costs of elite, national level sport are significant, and the funds raised through this campaign will go directly toward covering essential travel and playing expenses, including:

• Interstate flights from Perth to Melbourne return.

• Accommodation for the 8 day tournament.

• Official State 'Black & Gold' uniforms

• National Championship registration and player levies.

Taya’s journey back to the Black and Gold has been a masterclass in resilience and leadership. She has a long history of excellence in the sport, having been selected for the State team in 2024 and 2025, where she had the ultimate honour of being named State Captain and was awarded the MVP for Western Australia.

Unfortunately, Taya was unable to trial for the team last year due to significant physical setbacks. In March 2025, she suffered a fractured tibia, followed by the immense misfortune of spraining both of her ankles just five weeks apart earlier this year.

Reclaiming her spot in the State team didn't happen by chance; it happened in the quiet, grueling months of recovery. Taya traded the footy oval for the rehab clinic, spending countless hours in physiotherapy sessions, focusing on intense weight bearing exercises and stability drills just to learn to run again.

When the double ankle sprains hit back to back, she didn't hang her head she doubled down. To fast track her match readiness and test her physical limits before the state trials, she pushed herself to train and play alongside the HBL Year 9 boys' team. Even while managing her own rehab and training schedule, Taya chose to give back to the next generation, stepping up as an assistant coach for the HBL Year 3 boys' team to stay connected to the game and inspire younger players. Her mental strength and commitment to her community never wavered.

As a working single parent, I am doing everything I can to support my children’s dreams. After watching Taya fight through every single setback with pure grit, I want to ensure that financial barriers don't stand in her way. She has earned this jumper through hard work, and she truly deserves to be on that national stage.

We are taking a true "team effort" approach to getting Taya to Victoria, focusing on:

• ASF Fundraising: Utilising this tax deductible platform to allow friends, family, and generous businesses to sponsor her journey.

• Community Engagement: Connecting with our incredible South West football community and local supporters right here in Bunbury.

• Social Media: Sharing Taya’s ongoing journey, training updates, and tournament progress to keep our donors fully connected to her story.

Support 2024/25 State Captain Taya’s elite comeback! After a fractured tibia & rehab, she’s back in the Black & Gold for the 2026 Nationals. Donate now!