The backyard has become a training ground for sisters Bella and Scarlett Crouch. 

There are contests between forward and defender, plenty of friendly rivalry, and the sort of sibling disagreements that come with sharing both a home and a love of football. 

“Sometimes we fight but we always support each other and we’re very competitive who’s going to beat each other,” Scarlett laughs. 

Now that competitive spirit has helped carry the sisters, along with teammates Leura and Phoenix Russell from St Joseph’s College, Lochinvar and Sophie Miller from All Saints’ College, Maitland, onto one of the biggest stages in school football. 

The five students were selected in the NSW All Schools 14 Years and Under Girls Australian Football team, which claimed the silver medal at the School Sport Australia Championships in Melbourne. It was NSW’s best-ever finish at the national titles. 

For both girls, hearing their names announced was a reward for years of hard work. 

“I was really excited for the opportunity that I got to play for New South Wales,” Scarlett said. 

“Yeah, I was really excited to hear my name get called,” Bella said. 

The road to state selection was anything but simple. Bella progressed through multiple rounds of trials in Sydney and Wagga Wagga before earning her place in the squad. 

“It was a really hard competition to get into,” she said. 

The opportunity also came with significant travel costs, so Bella rolled up her sleeves and raised the money herself by knocking on doors in her neighbourhood and running a raffle. 

“I went around my estate … I’d knock on doors and ask if they wanted to buy one,” she said. 

Her determination reflects the commitment shown by all five girls, whose success has been built through years of training together with the Maitland Saints junior program. 

Coach Jono Russell, who is also the father of twins Leura and Phoenix, said the achievement was extraordinary. 

“To have five for Maitland in the New South Wales team to start with, and then three to make all-Australian team is pretty awesome,” he said.  

The team’s success has continued beyond the national championships. 

Leura, Phoenix and Bella have been named in the All-Australian Under-14 Girls team following NSW’s historic silver-medal performance. 

For the Russell family, it marked another proud milestone, with the twins following older sister Aurelia, who was recently named in the All-Australian Under-18 Girls team. 

Russell said it took someone else’s question for the significance of the moment to sink in. 

“Someone asked me on the day they were selected, what was it like to have three all-Australians in the one family? It suddenly struck for the first time just how successful they have been,” he said.  

Despite the accolades, the girls remain firmly focused on enjoying the game and supporting one another. 

Bella already has a clear vision for the future. 

“I want to make the AFLW with Phoenix and Leura Russell in the Sydney Swans so we can be all together and play all together.” 

The friendships are already helping each of them grow. 

“It is really helpful. We push each other to become better,” Bella said. 

Scarlett dreams of wearing the Sydney Swans colours too. 

“To make the AFLW for the Sydney Swans and live in Sydney and just keep playing for them.” 

Their dreams may point towards the AFLW, but their journey is already inspiring the next generation of girls to believe there is a place for them in football. For these five students, the future is full of possibility.

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