Sport
15 August, 2025
Sophie taking GIANT steps towards AFLW dream
Local girl turning heads in AFLW circles
AT JUST 12 years old, Sophie Leonard is already turning heads in AFL circles.
Initially from Dubbo, the West Wyalong based youngster was recently selected for the NSW PSSA AFLW team to compete at Maroochydore over 7 days at the Australian National School Sport Championships in the under 12s AFL.
To add to her experience Sophie’s NSW team came away with the silver medal beating all teams besides the Victorians in what was a monumental effort.
The GWS Giants Academy product has worked hard to get to this point with mum, Deb, often taking her to games for Lavington in the Albury league or to Sydney or Canberra for Giants commitments after it became apparent there wasn’t enough girls participating out here.
Not shy of a tackle, Sophie is a dynamic midfielder with great agility and speed that has also seen her selected on the flanks for her club side.
“I started as a nine year old with my first club - West Wyalong-Girral Bulldogs,” she said.
“I have had some great coaches like Tom Pidgeon and Chris and Jye Bischoff and my love for the game has grown from there,” she said.
A handy basketballer, her love of hoops has since been replaced with a passion for AFL with the aim to one day play in the AFLW.
“I’d love to play for the Giants - they are my favourite team.
“I watch the games when they are on and love it!”
For Deb Leonard, she is glad that Sophie finds it fun and is making loads of new friends in a sport no one in the family even followed three years ago let alone played.
“She is very motivated and determined to go as far as she can with it so we will see.”
But if the AFL dream doesn’t work out Sophie already has ideas on what she would like to do.
“If I don’t end up playing AFLW for the GWS Giants I’d like to be a lawyer or a judge,” she said.
And no one, especially mother, Deb, is arguing with her over that either.
“If you have a debate with Soph you’ll understand exactly why she would make a good lawyer one day too,” she laughed.
But for now it’s all about footy and chasing the dream of playing in the AFLW.
Well done Soph and keep up the good work!
Read More: West Wyalong
