SIMON MACGREGOR - LOWER CLARENCE SUNS
Simon grew up in Torquay, Victoria, where footy and surfing shaped his life. Though he followed a professional career in the surf industry, travelling the world for over a decade, playing footy remained a constant—helping him find community in unexpected places, from Helsinki to home.
Returning to Australia, Simon and his family settled in Yamba, where AFL was absent. Even though he had hung up the boots, he helped create the Lower Clarence Suns to hand over the legacy to his kids. Now a passionate coach, Simon sees footy as more than a game—it’s a way to connect, give back, and inspire the next generation.
ODELIA THAM - RANDWICK SAINTS
For Odelia, footy started as a way to try something new, but it quickly became so much more. As a senior women's player for the Randwick City Saints, she found not just a team, but a second family.
Whether it’s organising social events, starting a thriving book club, or simply sharing spontaneous weekends with teammates, footy has given Odelia friendships, confidence, and a space to truly be herself. In a busy world, making new connections can be hard, but footy brings people together—on and off the field.