By Madolyn Peters
Sarina's Lauren Bella is on her way to becoming a Brisbane Lion after the announcement of a new women's AFL competition.
She began playing AFL when she was nine after being dragged along to her younger brother's training.
"I just picked up a ball and then I was playing," she said.
Lauren and her bother William played together for three years, for the under-13 Sarina Demons.
Now 15, she plays for the Bakers Creek Tigers and has played representative games such as the schools U16 state competition.
"I trialled and went through all the processes in that and then got through to the Queensland team for two years at the age of 13 and 14," she said.
"Unfortunately I couldn't trial again this year."
Along with playing AFL at a state and national level, Lauren trains for netball six times a week in premier league and A-grade teams.
With women's Aussie Rules gaining traction recently there is one issue Lauren has faced growing up playing a male dominated sport.
"With it being a contact sport and most people would assume that because it is such a male dominated sport they would have a bit of resentment towards the women's league but I think if people are willing to get behind it and be supportive of it.
"It really doesn't matter in the end because we're all human and we do what we want," she said.
"I have experienced a bit of discrimination myself.
"I have people ask me whether I play netball or basketball and I tell them that I play netball and AFL and then they give me kind of a funny look because you don't really hear that many people especially girls saying 'oh yep AFL is the sport I play' so you get a few funny looks," she said.
This year Lauren travelled to Melbourne for a week to play in the AFL Nationals and was selected for the All Australian Squad.
She will play the curtain raiser for the women's exhibition game in September at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.
From this game an Australian team will be chosen.
Lauren, who is in the midst of finishing Year 11 exams, said she would need to decide between playing netball and AFL next year.
She said going with her heart it has to be AFL. "It's my sport, I enjoy it and I love it," she said.
With eight AFL teams announced for the 2017 Women's League Lauren has realised her dream of having an AFL career may not seem so far away.
"It's really great they are getting a women's competition up and running with eight teams, there is a larger variety now," Lauren said. "I think I would play for Brisbane Lions, that would be my best option, but I'd be happy just to be put in any team at all.
"I think it would be a really great experience." One thing is for sure, this is just the start of Lauren Bella's career, whatever path she decides to take.
Last Modified on 02/09/2016 10:12