First AFL Muslim female player hosts Cup

The brainchild of GWS Giants star Haneen Zreika, the first Muslim AFLW player who began her career playing with the Auburn Giants, the Cup was won by the AIA Strathfield and Malek Fahd Islamic School taking out the junior and senior competitions.
Zreika said she hoped the day would bring more awareness about the sport and help create pathways for high school girls to enter the game.
“It’s easy to get into rugby league or soccer but limited opportunities and exposure to AFL,” she said.
“I want to change that because AFL is a wonderful game and I love helping create opportunities for young women to enjoy it as I have.
“A lot of these girls haven’t played AFL before but because they’ve grown up playing other ball sports, a lot of the skills just come naturally.”
Debuting in 2019, Zreika has gone from strength to strength to cement herself as a regular member of the Giants’ line-up, with the 160cm pocket rocket previously playing rugby league in the NSW Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership competition.
In 2023, she finished sixth in the Giants’ club champion award after finishing seventh in the competition for tackles, averaging a huge 8.8 per game, to go along with 13 disposals per match.
Zreika was joined by GWS teammates Georgia Garnett and Rebecca Beeson who aided in coaching on the gala day.
“The gala day was a big success and I hope to hold several a year,” she said.
“I hope that eventually there will be a lot more Muslim women playing the game.”