With 15 Brisbane Lions Academy products recently named in the Queensland U18 girls side, Brisbane Lions Academy Head Coach of Female Programs and Queensland female football icon Emma Zielke reflects on her time with the AFLW stars of tomorrow.
The past six months coaching the Brisbane Lions U18 Girls Academy have been incredibly rewarding. Watching this group grow — not just as footballers, but as incredible young women — has been a real highlight of my coaching journey so far.
We focused on connection, growth mindset, being consistent with training standards and competing with purpose. The girls showed up every week ready to learn, support each other, and push their limits. There were tough moments with injury and tough opposition, but they stepped into the challenge, and it was special to see the growth that came from that.
One of the proudest moments? Seeing 15 of our players selected in the 2025 Queensland State team which I get the honour of coaching. That’s a credit to their commitment and the effort they put in week in, week out. I couldn't have asked for a better group of girls to coach, always bringing the energy and fun to every session which makes my job so enjoyable!
Huge thanks to the coaching and support staff who made the environment what it was — fun, challenging, and driven. Can’t wait to keep building from here. Onto the Queensland State program that kicks off next week!
Zielke has been named as Queensland U18 Girls Head Coach, alongside a fitting panel of Queensland female football talent:
- Jamie Stanton (Gold Coast SUNS AFLW and Academy) - Midfield and Senior Assistant Coach
- Meg Pullinger (Brisbane Lions Academy) - Forwards Coach
- Jason Sheriff (Brisbane Lions Academy) - Backline Coach
- Jess Malouf (Gold Coast SUNS Academy) - Runner/Bench Coach
More on the Brisbane Lions Academy selections here: https://www.lions.com.au/news/1792733/lions-galore-in-under-18-girls-queensland-squad
More on the Gold Coast SUNS Academy selections here: https://www.goldcoastfc.com.au/news/1792805/fifteen-streetsmarts-suns-academy-selected-for-queensland