Eleven-year-old Emily Pilakui from the Tiwi Islands has proudly represented the Northern Territory at the School Sport Australia National U12 AFL Championships, held in Maroochydore, Queensland, over the first week of August.
The daughter of Wayne Pilakui and Angelina Tipungwuti, Emily is a Grade 5 student from Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst Island. She was the youngest player in the NT side - the "baby" of the team - but played with the confidence and composure of a veteran. The championships marked a series of firsts for the talented young footballer, from travelling on a "big aeroplane" to pulling on football boots for the first time, having grown up playing barefoot on the islands.
Before the team left for Queensland, they were presented with their NT guernseys by perhaps the most famous Tiwi Islands footballer of all – AFL and Hawks legend Cyril Rioli.
"It felt different running in boots, but I was proud to wear the NT colours and play for my community," Emily said. "I loved playing with my teammates and made many new friends."
Emily was a stand-out across the week, kicking goals and constantly surrounded by her teammates' support. Her parents Wayne and Angelina said they were "so proud" to see their daughter wearing the NT jumper and playing with such determination and joy on the national stage.
The NT girls had plenty to celebrate, winning the battle of the Territories and taking the shield against the ACT. In their final match, they faced the powerhouse Victorian team, who were undefeated for the entire event and an imposing opposition. But the NT girls held Victoria to just two goals after half-time, and in the final moments, Emily kicked a goal after the siren to finish the carnival on a high.
Off the field, the girls had some unforgettable experiences. They attended a Brisbane Lions training session thanks to former AFL player and Territorian Anthony Corrie, now the Indigenous Welfare Manager at the Lions, and later watched the Lions take on the Sydney Swans at the Gabba in front of 30,000 fans - an eye-opening moment for the team and especially for Emily, given the population of the Tiwi Islands is around 3,000.
They were also visited by Gold Coast Suns stars Joel Jeffrey, Jy Farrer and Mac Andrew, who delivered a pre-game speech and cheered the girls on. Emily's teammate Jada Jeffrey is the niece of Joel and Jy, the niece of former NTFL and VFLW player Lateesha Jeffrey, and granddaughter of former St Kilda player and AFLNT Hall of Famer Russell Jeffrey.
For Emily, the trip was about more than just football. It was an opportunity to make new friends, connect with girls from across the Territory, and learn from the fast-paced competition against the country's best. Most of her teammates came from Darwin and play in the NTFL, while Daisy Brown from Alice Springs was also a stand-out performer.
Emily's journey from the community ovals of the Tiwi Islands to the sporting fields of Queensland shows the depth of talent in remote communities and the importance of creating pathways for young Indigenous athletes. She returns home carrying the pride of her family, her school, and the Tiwi community - and inspiring other young girls to chase their own footy dreams.
