We’re proud to announce that Maddy Roberts, a Dental Assistant in our Health Clinics, has recently been selected as the first AFLW priority signing for the Gold Coast SUNS.
At 26, Roberts is a crafty forward with great goal sense and has been playing local football for the Coolangatta Bluebirds for some time.
She was part of the 2018 Winter Series and was a member of the SUNS’ AFLW Summer Academy program.
The Gold Coast local has representative experience, playing for the Queensland U23 side in previous years and has also been a part of the Brisbane Lions train-on squad.
WATCH: Get to know Maddy Roberts
Roberts told SUNS Media this moment had been a long time coming.
“It’s been a few years coming so it’s nice to put pen to paper,” Roberts said.
“We had the Summer Academy and I put my heart into that and I gave that my all. I feel a part of the family, I’ve never felt so close to a club before.”
“To say it was physically and mentally tough would be a big understatement but I’m glad I kept chipping away because there’s not an inch in my body that will take it for granted.”
SUNS AFLW Senior Coach David Lake has been a spectator through Roberts’ ups and downs over the years and said he was very proud to give her the opportunity she deserved.
“I went on her journey, it was a pretty tough journey,” Lake said.
“Rejection when you’re having a crack to chase something you really want.”
“We’d play rep games, she’d get best on ground and do everything she can do but she’d never get the ultimate reward of getting on a list.
“Then she made the decision to make this her footy club.”
“She’s waited, she’s been patient, she didn’t go in last year’s draft and now she gets the chance to make this her footy club.”
Congratulations Maddy!
