Tara Murray
Things have changed a lot in the last 12 months for Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner.
Weston-Turner last year stepped away from playing football with the Western Jets and stopped going to school due to her mental health.
She returned to the field and the classroom this year and is thriving in both and was rewarded with selection in the AFLW Academy program.
The academy features 30 players and includes a selection of the most talented 17-year-old footballers across the country.
Weston-Turner was left in shock when she found out she had been selected in the program.
“It was pretty surreal and I didn’t believe it when they told me,” she said.
“Mum texted me saying expect a phone call from [coach] Tarkyn Lockyer and I’m like you have to tell me now as I’m freaking out.
“Tarkyn rang me and gave me the good news.”
Weston-Turner said the academy would give her the opportunity to receive some high level coaching and opportunities.
She said it was a nice acknowledgement of her game and she knows there will be more eyes on her when she takes to the field.
Selection in the academy caps off a big 12 months for Weston-Turner, which includes a premiership and best and fairest award.
For the key forward she’s living her dream of playing football.
“I’ve been playing since I was six or seven,” she said. “I thought I would have to play in the AFL as there was no AFLW when I was growing up.
“I played at Sunshine Heights for five years with the boys and then had to move over to Spotswood. I’ve spent the last two years with them.
“It took a little bit of adjusting to playing with the girls. It gave me more insight into what girls football is like.”
Weston-Turner was named in the Western Jets squad last season, but didn’t play as she looked to get her mental health right and just played local football
She had a second chance this season with the Jets and made the most of it.
“I played in every game but one and ended up playing in the premiership,” she said. “The standards were a lot higher than in local football.
“Charlotte [Baskaran] and Montana [Ham] helped guide me through. I really look up to them and they took me under their wing a little bit, especially Mon.”
Once the NAB League season was finished, Weston-Turner turned her focus to local football with Spotswood in the Western Region Football League.
She played two games including the women’s competition, including the division 1 grand final, while also playing 11 games in the under-18.5 competition.
Despite not playing a full season, Weston-Turner claimed the league under-18.5 best and fairest award.
“I was a bit shocked when I got up as I only played half the season,” she said.
“I was thinking what the hell. I was really pleased with myself. It wasn’t the same standard as the NAB League, but it gave me experience and a place to showcase what I can do. I enjoyed it.”
Also helping Western-Turner’s football, is going to Lakeview Senior College, where she is part of the school’s AFL Academy program.
She said she loved being able to combine her schooling with football and it had helped her both physically and mentally.
Weston-Turner has kept herself busy during the off season with playing of training and fitness stuff. She’s keen to get back into it as she looks ahead to hopefully a long football career.
