Karratha Kats star Indyana Bird latest recruit at Swan Districts Football Club for Rogers Cup

After a successful 2023 season in Karratha Kats’ under-16 women’s league side and taking home a Bilston medal, Pilbara youngster Indyana Bird is the latest recruit for the Swan Districts Football Club in the Rogers Cup team. While the 16-year-old is still living and attending school in Karratha, she plans to travel to Perth every second weekend for the season. She was there again as a key part of the team that beat Perth by 37 points in the round-six match-up on April 7 at Lathlain’s Mineral Resources Park. Speaking to the SDFC, Bird said having the chance to fly and play with the Swans was something she was grateful to be able to do. “Haven’t moved down here yet but so far I have absolutely been loving it, and thanks to my mum who can fly me down to Perth every second weekend and play with the Rogers,” Bird said. “So far I have been very welcomed to the club and have felt a part of the team straight away and have met some really nice girls, and not to mention my coach Tayah (Reed).” Having played at senior level with the Karratha Kats, Bird said she was enjoying the challenge of playing the Rogers Cup compared with senior level at Karratha Kats. “The level of footy so far has been a bit different compared to up in Karratha as I have found it good but also challenging,” she said. “It is hard to get used to playing with a whole new level and a whole new team, but also am loving the challenge and the different level and makes me want to push more.” While Bird wants to continue to develop her football and finish school, her skill set at Swan District has shown encouraging signs that could continue into the AFLW. “My goal is to pursue WAFLW in a higher level, and playing Rogers Cup has made me strive really high and made me realise the ability of the Swans and myself and for myself to play a higher level of AFL and to push more and give it my all,” Bird said. “Some of the goals are to get into a higher level and to not doubt myself and trust my ability to move forward.” Despite it being somewhat daunting for the youngster, Bird is embracing the experience with the support of her family and teammates at Karratha Kats. “The best part is that I have been fully supported from the Karratha Kats women’s team and they have been very supportive with me throughout the past two years,” Bird said. “I have had an amazing coach, Shane Mallard and Arron Minchin, who have helped me achieve my goals throughout my past couple of years playing (football). “This whole experience has been amazing, and as the Karratha Kats team has supported me and my new coach Mike has encouraged me. “Throughout this whole experience so far is having my mum supporting me and getting me amongst this whole thing and also having my boyfriend, who plays in the futures Swans team who is also from Karratha, supporting me heaps. “The scariest part of this experience is probably putting myself out there and meeting everyone new and wanting to be accepted.”