Hailing from Victoria, Nicole McKenna has long been a supporter of the AFL, barracking for Collingwood as a child. But when she moved to Sydney’s inner-city suburb of Paddington with two young children in tow, she felt drawn to support the Sydney Swans.
After years of support and becoming a self-confessed “die-hard fan”, McKenna was introduced to the club’s AFLW program during its early inception.
When the opportunity arose to take her support for the red and white to the next level, she found a sense of culture and community unique to the club.
“I knew the club needed people to donate and support the locker program – it seemed like a perfect fit for me. As a result, I got to know Lexi Hamilton.”
The Hamilton connection was strengthened as McKenna was introduced to Hamilton’s sister, fellow Swan Cynthia, along with their parents and grandmother.
“A locker is a very personal thing… it’s almost a little window into the essence of who they are,” McKenna says.
“Being able to support that is a unique, tangible thing to be able to do.”
McKenna’s daughters are now in their early twenties. She says her support of the AFLW program is an example she wants to set for them, to show the importance of supporting women.
“My daughters are like me – they want women to be able to do whatever they want to do, whenever they want to do it,” she says.
This interview was featured in the 2024 Sydney Swans Foundation Impact Report. Read more here.
Should you like to show your support for the Academy via the Sydney Swans Foundation, we encourage you to donate today.
