http://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/no-nonsense-nikki-kicks-in/1834090/
Nikki knows her AFL
MOTHER of five and Eastern Swans trainer Nikki Sutherland is one of the many women choosing to get involved with AFL.
Mackay AFL announced the formation of a Woman's League Committee at their AFL season launch earlier this year, and the club is hoping to see more females take the field to play or get involved by volunteering.
Sutherland works at Life Without Barriers during the day, is studying to complete her Certificate IV in personal training and trains the Eastern Swans two nights a week.
The busy mum said she encourages her kids, Chloe-Jane, Cyriss, Zain, Taya and Blake, to come to the Swans games if they want to.
"I want to show them if you want something you have to work hard, you can't just (sit around), you have to go out and get it," she said.
Sutherland said she had been a little bit daunted when she first started training Swans players last season.
But she has settled in well to her role.
"I was a bit worried that they weren't going to take me seriously, or they wouldn't listen to me," she said. "But they treat me as one of them and they do as they are told."
Sutherland is an experienced personal trainer and is in control of improving the players' fitness, as well as strapping injuries and administering first-aid on game days.
"I make training programs to improve their fitness and monitor their progress," she said.
AFL Mackay regional manager David Harding said women's football was the fastest growing sport in Australia.
"About 52% of people going to games in Melbourne are women," he said.
"Female volunteers are some of our most valuable."
He said Mackay was a hot spot for female AFL stars, and listed Hannah Hillman, who has made the
Queensland Under 18 State Team for AFL, as an example.
Last Modified on 18/04/2013 09:51