Sophie Van De Heuvel is planning to juggle her cricket commitments with her new status as an elite women’s footballer after being drafted to Geelong with pick number two at Tuesday’s AFLW national draft.
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The Ballarat youngster spoke to The Courier shortly after being selected by the Cats and said it was a massive honour to be taken so high in the draft.
Van De Heuvel said Geelong was flexible in allowing her to play both cricket and football.
The 17-year-old is a top cricketer and is currently playing for Essendon Maribyrnong Park in the Victorian women’s premier firsts division. She is also preparing to represent Victoria Country at the upcoming under-18 national championships in January next year.
After being recruited with pick number two, Van De Heuvel was quickly joined at Geelong by Greater Western Victoria Rebels teammates Georgia Clarke (pick 24) and Rene Caris (pick 35) and former Redan footballer Maighan Fogas (pick 47).
Lauren Butler was the other Rebels footballer to be drafted, going to Collingwood with pick 18.
The Magpies also took ex-Ballarat Rush basketballer Sophie Alexander. The club was granted compensation in the way of two pre-draft selections, with Alexander taken at pick 29.
Van De Heuvel started her football career with the Ballarat Swans, while Clarke is from the Ararat Storm, Caris from the Horsham Saints and Butler from Carisbrook.
AFLW DRAFT
TOP 10
1. Geelong: Nina Morrison (Geelong Falcons, VIC)
2. Geelong: Sophie Van De Heuvel (GWV Rebels, VIC)
3. Carlton: Madison Prespakis (Calder Cannons, VIC)
4. Fremantle: Jasmin Stewart (Claremont, WA)
5. Collingwood: Jordyn Allen (Dandenong Stingrays, VIC)
6. Melbourne: Tyla Hanks (Gippsland Power, VIC)
7. Geelong: Rebecca Webster (Murray Bushrangers, VIC)
8. Adelaide: Nikki Gore (South Adelaide, SA)
9. Brisbane: Paige Parker (Coorparoo, QLD)
10. Western Bulldogs: Eleanor Brown (Sandringham Dragons, VIC)
