Toowoomba's Zimra Hussain has been named the inaugural number one ticket holder for the Brisbane Lions AFL women's team.
The 10-year-old, nicknamed the Afghani Axe, was introduced to Aussie Rules two years ago, after arriving in southern Queensland with her mother and sister from Afghanistan.
She has already played in an under-12s premiership winning team, and been picked for representative duties for the Darling Downs region.
Brisbane Lions Women's chief executive Breeanna Brock said the young footballer embodied everything the AFL wanted to celebrate.
"Hers is a story of somebody who has had a huge struggle in life, found a passion, and followed her dream," Ms Brock said.
"I don't know if the general public really know what kind of triumph it is having a young Afghani girl playing mixed football."
Zimra and her family are part of the Hazara, a group heavily persecuted by the Taliban.
She is one of dozens of refugee children in the regional city who have joined the University Cougars AFL team.
"It's amazing to be the number one ticket holder. I can't wait to see them play," Zimra said.
Her coach is very proud.
"This kid tries with every part of her being," Ross Savill said.
"She wants to do well, and it's not only with her footy. I think people resonate with that kind of story."
The AFL national women's league will kick off early in 2017, and Ms Brock is confident many young players from southern Queensland will have a future on the big stage.
"There is a lot of talent out here," she said.
As the number one ticket holder, Zimra has been invited to play a role at the very first AFLW game in Brisbane in 2017.
Ambassador still has soft spot for Adelaide Crows
Now an ambassador for the Lions, Zimra proudly wears a Brisbane cap perched on top of her hijab.
"I wore it all night," she said.
But she said she would always have a soft spot for the Adelaide Crows.
Her local football team, the University Cougars, play in the same colours as the Crows, and her favourite player is Eddie Betts.
"She will support the Lions women's side wholeheartedly," her coach said.
"But there's no way we're shifting her off Eddie Betts's team.
"We may switch her men's team allegiance, but that might only happen if we can get Eddie to move to Brisbane," he laughed.
The Crows sent Zimra a jersey, and Betts signed a birthday card that proudly sits next to Zimra's Lions plaque.
"It's that sort of response that has been amazing," Mr Savill said.
"The wider community has just been brilliant.
(Story from ABC News)
Last Modified on 25/11/2016 15:54
