Simpson Stars on National Stage

Year 9 student Mia Simpson impressed in a big way on the national Football stage on Sunday June  in Brisbane.

Simpson earned Best on Ground honours for the Australian Under 15 Multicultural Girls team, selected from the country's most talented young footballers with a parent born overseas. Mia represented her Samoan heritage through her mother, who was born in Samoa.

Her “Medleys” team played against the “Woomeras”, made up of Australia’s best Under 15 Indigenous girls, at Brighton Homes Arena, training ground of the Brisbane Lions.

Mia’s team was beaten, but she kicked her team’s only goal (despite playing as a midfielder) and stood out as arguably the classiest and silkiest-skilled player in the match.

The match was the culmination of a 3-day camp where Mia got a taste of the elite football environment thanks to training from experienced coaches from the AFL system.

The 14-year old’s performance will put her name front and centre for the 2027 AFL Multicultural Academy and takes her one step further along the AFL Talent Pathway.

The Tigers (Boys Junior League) and Corowa Rutherglen (Girls) talent will be a top-age prospect for V-Line Cup Under 15 selections soon. She was picked as a rare bottom-aged 13-year-old in last year’s team.

Mia has captivated crowds on the school football field too, winning our Darcy Vescio Medal four times in the past three years. Named in honour of our legendary alumna and former AFL Multicultural Ambassador, the award is a fitting tribute, with many drawing comparisons between Mia and Darcy.

Congratulations Mia Simpson.