Moranbah Bulldogs AFC junior Abbey Rankin was awarded the 2022 Troy Clarke Scholarship by AFL Queensland last month, named after the late Brisbane Bears player and AFL Queensland Development Manager Troy Clarke.
The scholarship is designed to support a young person from regional Queensland who displays the core values Troy, a South Cairns junior, embodied during his football journey including dedication, passion and respect.
The scholarship will specifically look to focus and improve Abbey’s football, education and personal development.
The scholarship was presented at Gold Coast’s Bond University on September 22 ahead of the Under 16 Girls Championships where Abbey represented the Gold Coast SUNS Academy Team who defeated the Brisbane Lions 45-7.
AFL Queensland say they selected Abbey for this prestigious scholarship due to her genuine commitment to pursuing her football ambitions.
Growing up in Moranbah, Abbey started playing Aussie Rules for the Moranbah Bulldogs only four years ago before being selected in the Gold Coast SUNS Academy.
During this time, she has travelled to pursue playing football at the highest level available.
Abbey and her family have now moved to Mackay where she plays for the Mackay City Hawks, this year’s 2022 AFL Mackay Premiers.
Head of AFL Queensland Trisha Squires congratulated Abbey on receiving this scholarship.
“Abbey is a worthy recipient of our Troy Clarke Scholarship,” she said.
“Her dedication to chasing her football pursuits through travel to training and seeking additional opportunities to improve her game, is demonstrative of her passion.
“We look forward to watching Abbey’s development as a footballer and person.”
The 16-year-old said she was honoured to receive this scholarship.
“It’s such an honour to receive this scholarship,” Abbey said.
“It has encouraged and inspired me to push even harder towards my goals.
“I know from personal experience that regional kids feel like they are always overlooked and forgotten about.
“This scholarship has done the opposite and inspired me to train and play harder.
“My ultimate dream is to play in the AFLW and be a role model for other regional kids.”
Abbey is the second player from the region to receive the Troy Clarke Scholarship, with Alana Gee from Mackay receiving the scholarship in 2019 before being drafted to the SUNS AFLW team earlier this year.
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