Wollongong honours AFL and netball rising star Grace Tracey

The City of Wollongong's 2024 Sports Achievement Award winner is Grace Tracey, a 15-year-old athlete who has already established herself as a promising netball and AFL player.

Grace, who is in her second year at the Illawarra Academy of Sport, found her passion for sports as a child through emulating her older cousin, Rylee.

“Growing up watching Rylee play sports, I wanted to be just like her,” Grace said.

“That was the beginning of my love for sport, us playing in the backyard and her being my team's coach.”

At age nine, influenced by her cousin, Grace embraced AFL and contributed to her school's triumph in the Paul Kelly Cup, the largest AFL primary school competition in New South Wales and the ACT, and in the state championships.

After this, she joined Figtree Australian Football Club (aka the Kangaroos).

At 10, Grace wanted to try something new so she started playing netball and was soon selected to join the Illawarra representative development squad. Here, she discovered a real knack for the sport and has continued to play it since.

“I was picking up the game fast and became quite skilful,” Grace said.

“I started wanting to see how far I could go with my chosen sports and became determined to succeed."

Like many Illawarra athletes, Grace sought out the IAS for skill expansion and professional development. She saw it as a platform to elevate her netball career after noticing the positive effect the IAS had on players who have gone there.

“The IAS has a great pathway for young athletes and especially for netball players looking to begin the journey,” Grace said.

“They have really helped me develop a better understanding of what I have to do on and off court to become a better athlete.”

In her flourishing career, Grace has already recorded a long list of achievements. In addition to winning the 2024 City of Wollongong Sports Achievement Award, Grace has secured places in the 2023 Illawarra Academy of Sports, Australian All Schools Netball, and Australian All Schools AFL teams — all a testament to her hard work.

“Each one is special in its own way and I think that’s what’s so good about them,” Grace said.

“To receive the sports achievement award was such a privilege, I couldn’t believe that I had won and was really just shocked!

“It was exciting to know that all my hard work behind the scenes has been playing off and recognised by others.”

Even after early triumphs in 2024, Grace shows no signs of slowing down.

“I think that my main goal would just be to keep improving and learning, hitting small goals and playing my best every game,” Grace said.

“These years it’s really about growth and development preparing for the years ahead.”

Despite the challenges ahead, Grace holds onto dreams of a future in which she can turn her passion into a profession.

“Now it’s about wanting to constantly get better and to one day achieve the dream of playing professionally,” Grace said.

Grace said she appreciates all of the support of her community, sports associations, coaches and family, whose dedication fuels her journey and contributes to her success.

“I’m really grateful for my community and my clubs that have really supported me,” Grace said.

“Especially my family, my mum and dad, who are my biggest fans.

“Driving me to every game and training and helping me behind the scenes in so many ways, I’m forever grateful for everyone who has got me to where I am today.”