Cherbourg’s Ameleia Murray has secured backing from AFL Queensland to continue her rapid rise to glory in the sport, receiving the 2025 Troy Clarke Scholarship.
Ameleia received the annual award at AFL Queensland’s Brisbane office on Thursday, 22 January, recognising her whirlwind year in footy that saw her named an All Australian forward.
Originally from Cherbourg, Ameleia nowadays lives on the Sunshine Coast in order to allow her and her brother Caylen to pursue a career in AFL.
The 2025 scholarship recipient plays for the Maroochydore Roos in the Maccas South East Queensland Juniors competition, and serves as Maroochydore State High School’s Indigenous captain.
In awarding the scholarship, AFL Queensland recognised Ameleia as a top performer in both state- and national footy throughout 2025.
In April, Ameleia represented the Brisbane Lions Academy at the 2025 Marsh AFL National Development U16 Girls championship, being named on the All Australian side as a forward.
In June, she participated in a camp and series of showcase matches as part of the Toyota AFL Indigenous Academy. Also starting in June, Ameleia played for Queensland at the 2025 Marsh AFL National Development U18 Girls championship.
“Throughout 2025, [Ameleia] demonstrated her passion and dedication to our game by making the most of the opportunities in front of her,” said head of AFL Queensland Trisha Squires when announcing the winner of the 2025 Troy Clarke Scholarship.
“With the skill and talent she possesses, we look forward to watching her excel even further both on and off the field,” she added.
Each year since 2014, AFL Queensland has awarded the Troy Clarke Scholarship to a player from outside South East Queensland who plays at least at a regional level, and who demonstrates consistent dedication, passion and respect – values of the purse’s late namesake.
Troy Clarke, who died in 2013 aged 44, was a North Queensland-based player for the Brisbane Bears, making the Queensland Team of the Century shortlist and later serving as AFL Queensland’s development manager where he oversaw the growth of the sport.
The scholarship in his name covers the purchase of sporting equipment, tuition or mentoring, and aids awardees with travel costs to competitions or other development opportunities.
Ameleia said she hopes to use the scholarship to further grow as a footy player. She hopes to one day play in the AFL’s women’s competition.
“I feel very honoured and I am very grateful for this scholarship,” Ameleia said.
The young gun from Cherbourg has already amassed some dedicated supporters, including Brisbane Lions Academy head Dayne Frew.
“[Ameleia’s] development has come along in leaps and bounds, and this award is a great credit to her and due recognition of her commitment,” Mr Frew said.
“From a playing point of view, she has a great kick, is clean with the ball in hand and can push forward to apply scoreboard pressure or set up her teammates.
“We’re really looking forward to supporting her development over the coming years and congratulate her on this recognition,” he said.
