While many people beat the drum for women’s sports, one 14-year-old girl is out there making it happen.
Sports fan Maddison Wood has been instrumental in forming the first Caroline Springs Lakes girls youth football team, as well as running Australian rules clinics at her school.
Maddison was named young citizen of the year for Melton this month, and she attributes part of her success to the Whitten Project – a Western Bulldogs program that offers year 9 and 10 students a range of life and sport experiences to build their leadership skills.
“If I didn’t take part, I wouldn’t have thought to really get engaged with community work,” the Caroline Springs resident said.
“I really love to see things grow and improve, and I know I’ve helped with it. I don’t know if the footy team will be really good or not so great, but I helped create it and that’s exciting.”
The aspiring lawyer, who has just started year 9 at Bacchus Marsh Grammar School, says she has learnt to seize every opportunity and always do her best.
“I want to continue to help my community in whatever way I can, whenever I have the chance,” she said.
