Freya hopes to rule Down Under
ASTUDENT will be going Down Under to be part of the first Great Britain women’s team to compete in the Australian Rules Football World Cup.
Freya Blount, 20, from Woodford, only took up the sport two years ago but has been selected for the squad, which will play in Melbourne in August.
She is a former netball player, who captained Cheadle Hulme School, but wanted to try something completely different.
So when she began her economics degree at the University of Birmingham, Freya decided the rough and tumble of Aussie Rules (AFL) was the sport for her.
Freya said: “I wanted to do something totally different so picked the weirdest sport I could find, which was AFL.
“I found it very aggressive and at first didn’t think I would stay with it, but then I fell in love with it. I love the physicality.
“You need to be athletic and strong willed, some people are scared of it.
“I think my family would prefer me to play a tamer sport but they are very proud of me.”
Freya was called into the Great Britain squad last summer and won the first of her two caps against Ireland.
Next month there will be a tour of Canada and then the World Cup, where teams include Tonga and the USA. Australia do not compete they are seen as too good - which leaves Canada as favourites and Great Britain as the third ranked team and the best in Europe.
Freya, who would like to work in advertising if a career playing AFL does not work out, will split her time between training and studying for her final exams in economics.
When not at university she lives with mum Alison, dad Charlie and older sister Sophie.
She plays at university and for the Manchester Mosquitos, who are based in Burnage.
Her position on the field is ruck, one of the most physical roles to have in the 18-a-side sport.
Previously she has played for England at a nine-a-side version.
Freya said: “We have got a chance to win, at the moment I am excited about going to the World Cup but I think the nerves will come nearer the time.
“There has been a big pick up in interest in the game in the UK, in London alone there are 10 women’s clubs.
“It is a lot bigger than people think.”