Teen stunned to be an idol to indigenous kids
FOR Burleigh teenager Akayla McQuire, the All Stars camp this week has given her the chance to provide wisdom beyond her years.
An emerging talent, McQuire will line up at hooker for the Indigenous All Stars team this afternoon at AAMI Park in Melbourne. But there is little doubt the most significant impact of this concept is being felt off the football field.
The 19-year-old grew up looking up to indigenous female footballers Mahalia Murphy and Caitlin Moran and now is excited by the opportunity to become an idol for the next generation of youngsters, as witnessed at the team’s signing sessions throughout the week.
“It’s really good those girls coming in and looking up to us older girls and having an idol,” she said.
“A lot of the little boys too, they have come and are really supportive of the girls as well.
“Especially kids that you have never met before and they were like, ‘oh my God, it’s so good to meet you’. That was an eye-opener.”
McQuire is also enjoying having a positive effect on her indigenous teammates.
“For a job I teach Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island culture. So a lot of girls that have come, I’ve been able to push them in ways to help them break down those barriers of the whole shame and being ashamed about being Aboriginal,” she said.
She will line up in Melbourne alongside fellow Burleigh Bears Amber Pilley and Tallisha Harden and against clubmates Tyler Birch, Zahara Temara and Tazmin Gray.