A primary school teacher from rugby league heartland will walk alongside the Geelong and Brisbane players in the traditional grand final parade in Melbourne this Friday.
But there’s a very good reason Danielle Wahapango from Macquarie Fields Public School (pictured above) will be taking part: she has won this year’s the National AFL Teacher of the Year award in NSW and the ACT.
Remarkably, Mrs Wahapango, who will also be at the MCG for the grand final on Saturday, got involved in Australian Rules football two years ago.
“It’s a huge honour to be recognised nationally, especially when I am teaching and coaching in an area where AFL is not the dominant sport,” Mrs Wahapango said.
“In all honesty, I was in shock and quite overwhelmed to even be nominated by Mia Hogan from the Giants in the first place. When she let me know, I was so appreciative and humbled.”
In its citation for the award, the AFL described Mrs Wahapango as inspirational.
“Her efforts reflect the true spirit of community sport – creating opportunities, building confidence and nurturing future talent,” the citation said.
Mrs Wahapango became involved in AFL as a player and a coach within the last two years and is already a leader at her local club, the Camden Cats, pictured below.
At Macquarie Fields Public School, Mrs Wahapango is building a new generation of Australian Rules enthusiasts – many of whom had never kicked a Sherrin until recently.
“AFL has given our kids something new to be excited about,” she said.
“I introduced the Paul Kelly Cup at school, and not a single student in the team had played before. But the enthusiasm was instant – they were hooked.”
Since then, Mrs Wahapango has launched Australian Rules school programs, encouraged students to participate in NSW Primary Schools Sports Association (PSSA) competitions, and even personally supported her students at the Future Stars development clinics in Blacktown on Monday nights.
Her efforts are already bearing fruit: one of her students has earned a spot in the GWS Giants Academy Under 12s team.
Mrs Wahapango said engaging students from diverse backgrounds in Australian Rules is also having benefits in the classroom.
“I particularly love instilling a love of sport and the values it teaches. I’ve been teaching for about 14 years, and in that time, I’ve built strong connections with students and their families.
“Culture is also a huge part of why I remain passionate about this profession. I enjoy celebrating the diverse backgrounds of my students, learning from their stories, and helping them take pride in who they are – on and off the sporting field.”
NSW Department of Education secretary Murat Dizdar praised Mrs Wahapango.
“Danielle’s achievement is a reflection of the transformative power that great teachers have in our schools,” Mr Dizdar said.
“She’s giving students opportunities they never thought possible.”
Principal at Macquarie Fields Public School, Vicki Craze, is also proud of her award winning teacher.
“Danielle exemplifies dedication, passion and advocacy for our students, consistently going above and beyond to nurture their talents and aspirations,” she said.
“Her commitment to building strong relationships with students and their families, as well as introducing new opportunities like AFL to our school community, enriches our school and makes a lasting, positive impact on the lives of our students.”
While delighted to receive the accolade, Mrs Wahapango said the growth of her students remains her biggest reward.
“Watching them step outside their comfort zones and feel proud of themselves is a real highlight. They’re the reason I do this, and I hope they know just how proud of them I am.”