It’s a long drive from Coffs Harbour on the NSW North Coast to the bright lights of Sydney, approximately 535 kilometres and six hours on the road.

But the chance of playing in the AFLW for the Sydney Swans in the future makes the long drive for Coffs Harbour locals April Devine and Cassidy Ronalds worth it.

The pair will make the trip south this weekend to play for the Sydney Swans ‘Red’ team for the opening round of the AFLW Summer Series against the GWS Giants, adding to the kilometres they are tallying up, travelling to Newcastle to train each week for the series.

“We travel down to Newcastle once a week to train and it takes us usually four hours one-way but April and I share the driving,” 21-year old midfielder Cassidy Ronalds said.

“We leave Coffs Harbour at around 12:30pm and arrive in Newcastle at around 4.30pm- 4.45pm for training to start at 5.30pm and it usually runs until 7pm. We get back on the road shortly after 7pm and arrive back in Coffs Harbour around 11.30pm/12am.”

For 18-year old ruckwoman, April Devine the travel has become part and parcel of her football routine, having been part of the QBE Sydney Swans Top End Academy program last season and also playing for the Allies.

“Last year for the first few months I was travelling once a week for training in Sydney which is about an 11-hour round trip and then played games in Geelong and Sydney. I also have to travel an hour to my local training at least once a week,” Devine said.

The girls also juggle their training commitments and future AFLW aspirations around their work and study schedules. Both are currently studying their Certificate 3 and 4 in Fitness and Personal Training with Devine working at the gym that her personal trainer owns and Ronalds working at Services Australia Call Centre and also at Bunnings Warehouse.

The commitment to manage both all facets of their lives is a big one but both know it’s all part of taking the next step and doing all they can to get to the elite level.

The pair currently play for the Coffs Harbour Breakers in their local league, a club the girls says is incredibly ‘supportive’ and has an ‘outstanding culture’.

While they are currently playing plenty of football together, both girls have had different paths to the game.

Ronalds grew up in Australian Rules heartland, Victoria and was surrounded by the game but ironically it wasn’t until she moved to Coffs Harbour that she decided to play.

“When I moved to Coffs I heard they were starting a youth girls team so I decided to play then,” Ronalds said.

“I was really nervous when I played my first game but after that I have loved it ever since. I love the intensity of the game and the competitiveness, it’s unlike any sport I have previously played. I love being part of a team and having their support no matter what. I’ve met some really incredible people through playing AFL and definitely some life-long friends.”

Meanwhile Devine began her football journey on the mid-North coast of NSW in the town of Kempsey when she was 14-years of age and has thrived ever since and was last year named the 2021 North Coast Academy of Sport Most Outstanding in AFLW and Athlete of the Year.

“I had a choice between football and swimming. I didn’t like swimming and I’d always loved running and ball sports so I thought I’d try it,” Devine said.

“I started playing footy in 2017 with the Macleay Valley Eagles in Kempsey.  My coach Kevin was really passionate about AFL and he taught me how fun it was and to love the game.”

“I love playing and also training sessions, they are the most exciting thing in my week. Just the feeling of getting out there with your team-mates and practicing game drills and skills it really makes you feel like a big strong family.”

With the Summer Series kicking off on Saturday (February 11) both girls are excited at the opportunity that awaits them as they look to impress newly appointed Sydney Swans Head Coach Scott Gowans and Executive General Manager of AFLW Kate Mahoney.

18-year old Devine got a taste of wearing the red and white in the Top End Academy series last year and she has already been part of some Swans history with the team’s wins over Geelong in Geelong and also over the Giants.

“To be in the inaugural Sydney Swans Top End U19 Academy was the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me,” Devine said.

“I couldn’t believe that a team like the Sydney Swans wanted me to come and train with them and my feelings haven’t changed now I have this opportunity. I’ve learnt so much in the last 12 months and I hope that playing in the Summer Series and learning from the amazing coaches can help me achieve my goal.”

Ronalds, who played in the Academy series in 2017 and 2018 for the Swans and represented the NSW/ACT Rams also has hopes of impressing in the Summer Series and one day putting on the Swans AFLW guernsey.

“I’m sure all the girls have the same dream of being drafted but either way it is a great experience and I feel very grateful to play alongside some very talented girls,” Ronalds said.

“As all of us have the same goal in mind I feel it brings us closer and helps us to bring the high intensity to training. Once training started in January it was fantastic to meet all the girls and finally train as a group. Straight away from the first training session we really brought that intensity and gave everything 100% which was great to see.”

And what excites them about the future and the Swans having an AFLW side to aspire to be part of?

“It’s the challenge of bringing that high intensity right from the start to show how competitive the side can be,” Ronalds said.

“Some of the other teams have been around for five years now so these games are going to be great to really see what the Swans can bring to the table. It’s great to see how far football has come in five years and how much skill is coming through as well.”

“The fact that the Swans are now building their own AFLW team is amazing and it would be an absolute honour to play for the team that saw the potential in me and have provided so many opportunities and taught me so much,” Devine added.

All the fixture details, team lists and live stream links for the Summer Series can be found here.