The youngest of the two hundred registered players of the 2012 South East Queensland Women’s League has also been announced as its best and fairest as the elite of the competition gathered at the Pineapple Hotel to enjoy the Annual Awards Ceremony on Friday night. 15 year old Zillmere Eagles sensation, Tayla Harris confirmed her status as the hottest young property in Women’s Football after completing an unprecedented trifecta. Earlier in the evening Harris was awarded the ‘Rising Star’ Award and soon after received recognition in the ‘Team of Year’ in her favoured ‘ruck’ position. She completed her amazing evening by winning the much cherished League ‘Best and Fairest’ Award. She polled 16 votes despite missing three games whilst on representative duty during the year. Harris finished 4 votes ahead of Morningside star Emma Zielke and Palm Beach Currumbin ruck, Indy Sleeth. The League’s umpires were clearly drawn by her athletic work in the ruck and her ability to push forward and score multiple goals.To add to this great acheivement Harris has also been nominated as a "Rising Star" in teh Qld Govt Sportswomen of the Year Awards.
Harris’ star potential has been apparent for some time and after 9 years of playing in mixed gender teams (mainly against boys) the ambitious youngster became eligible to play in the senior women’s league. As a 14 year old, Harris gained selection in the Queensland Under 18 team that competed at the National Championships on the Gold Coast and was duly rewarded with All-Australian selection. A year later she travelled to Adelaide and repeated the effort when the QLD outfit finished as runners-up to the all-conquering ‘Big V’. Her impressive performances at this year’s National Carnival saw Harris travel to Melbourne to take part in the Female High Performance Academy with forty other footballing stars from around the country. The week long camp concluded with an exhibition game at Visy Park. Incredibly, Harris was named as ‘best on ground’.
Harris was also given the opportunity earlier in the year to develop her leadership skills when she was named captain of the Metropolitan North team to compete in the inaugural 16 Years & Under School Girls State Invitational. Harris’ Metropolitan North team won all 6 games and claimed the title. After a series of dominating performances, Harris was recognised as the player of the carnival.
Metropolitan North and Zillmere Eagles coach Ross Clayfield marvelled at Harris’ incredible year. “She’s taken all before her and risen to every challenge. She’s an amazing talent and exciting to watch but most importantly she’s a level-headed, modest young girl who simply loves the game and is always looking to do the team thing”.
Harris lists her major priority as, “maintaining an even balance of enjoyment and seriousness and giving everything in every game for my teammates”.
Zillmere Club President, Roxanne Brock has enjoyed watching the youngster develop at close quarters.
“She's a very talented young lady and it's going to be fun to watch her grow and really become a force. She knows her potential. She's only 15 and if she's just enjoying what she's doing that's what we want her to do.”
The year hasn’t been without disappointment for Harris, however, with her senior team Zillmere losing out to Yeronga South Brisbane in this year’s grand final but the future looks bright for Harris’ new club who have climbed from last to second over the past 18 months. Harris is looking forward to an opportunity for revenge when she leads the Zillmere U18’s into battle in this weekend’s grand final clash against the junior version of the powerful Yeronga South Brisbane Devils.
With a ‘Best and Fairest’ medal already hanging around her neck and ‘team of the year’ status it seems Harris has already moved on quickly setting her sights on the future. “Premierships”, was her simple response when asked what her future goals were, emphasizing her team first attitude. If her glittering footballing record and over-crowded trophy cabinet are anything to go by then it seems Tayla Harris always achieves what she sets her mind to and that will be music to the ears of Zillmere Eagles fans in 2013.
Last Modified on 13/05/2013 19:11