Paris Crelley is one of six girls from the Riverina region to be selected in the AFL NSW-ACT Youth Girls state squad.
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She was picked along side Cookardinia’s Alyce Parker, Coolamon’s Ellie Delgano-Fixter, Temora’s Britt Walker, Balranald’s Jordyn Jolliffe and Tumut’s Milli Gentle to travel to Coffs Harbour and take part in the Northern Academy Series.
Paris only found out about her selection after one of her parents saw it on Facebook.
“My dad, who is in the Phillipines at the moment saw it,” she said.
“He called me to ask if I had seen what was on Facebook and then I saw it blowing up.
“I was in a bit of shock.”
Paris took part in the inaugural MIA Youth Girls competition and was one of the better performers in the competition with her side making it though to the final only to lose to Griffith.
The young footballer is looking forward to the challenge of taking on some bigger bodies then she is use to.
“Given that I am under age, which was some of the reason I was surprised to be picked, it will be tough,” she said.
“But I am looking forward to the challenge of taking on some of the older girls.
“It will be a great experience to see where I stand with the bigger girls.”
Paris did want to thank her teammates from the Redlegs side because without them she feels she couldn’t have gotten to this stage.
“They were great this season and we all improved together,” she said.
Given that I am under age, which was some of the reason I was surprised to be picked, it will be tough.
- Paris Crelley
The squad will be split into two to play games against Queensland teams on April 21-23. The final team to play at the national championships will be named after the series.
Should Paris make it into the squad rounds one and two of the national championships will be held in Sydney from May 13 to May 21.
Rounds three and four will be held on the Gold Coast from July 9 to July 14.