RUBY Campbell and Ainslie Kemp are two of Bendigo's most promising up-and-coming youth girls footballers.
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The leadership and football ability of both players on and off the field have grown tremendously, particularly this year.
In 2014, the girls represented Victoria Country at the under-18 national youth girls' carnival in Canberra.
They were both members of Bendigo's Subway Shield squad and the Bendigo Junior Football League development team.
Ruby was a part of the leadership group for both squads and Ainslie was named best-on-ground for both carnivals.
Ruby played a major role for the 2014 Bendigo Senior Secondary College football team, of which she was a co-captain and named among her side's best players in the Calder Cup challenge.
Ainslie took out the 2013 Kyneton youth girls best and fairest award and was lucky enough to be selected for the 2014 North Ballarat Rebels Youth Girls Academy.
Both girls' coaches are extremely proud of what their players have achieved throughout their football careers.
Kyneton coach Craig Rooth said: "Ainslie is a trailblazer for youth girls football in Kyneton. She is dedicated, committed with natural talent and a big heart."
Huntly coach Steve Dilks was equally glowing in his praise.
"Ruby is supportive to every one of her team-mates - she has had a truly stellar year and it's been an honour to watch her shine."
Player Profiles
Name: Ruby Campbell
Age: 17
School: Bendigo Senior Secondary College
Favorite food: Steak
Hobbies: Going to gym, hair and beauty
Who is your inspiration? My Mum and Dad
Who is your idol? Daisy Pearce (female football superstar)
Favorite football moment: Making 2014 Vic Country u/18 football team
Goals: Play in the women's AFL in 2020
Most embarrassing on-field moment: Running into my own team member and breaking my nose and getting two black eyes
Life motto: "Here for a good time, not a long time"
Dream job: Being a WAG
Funny thing about you: Part of my name is spelt wrong on my birth certificate so instead of Hope it is Hore
If you won a million dollars, what would you do with it? Buy a big house and go on a holiday to Greece
What would you do with your last $50? Buy food
Most treasured possession: My makeup and hair straightener
Pet hate: When I have to do the dishes
Name: Ainslie Kemp
Age: 17
School: Sacred Heart College Kyneton
Favorite food: Chicken Carbonara
Hobbies: Playing and listening to music
Who is your inspiration? My Mum!
Who is your idol? Daisy Pearce
Favorite football moment: Being selected to represent Vic Country at the 2014 national championships
Goals: Be selected into one of the two female AFL teams (Melbourne and Western Bulldogs)
Most embarrassing on-field moment: I got falconed in Subway Shield on a cold day with a leather ball and had a lump on my face, all because I wasn't paying attention!
Life motto: "Do your best"
Dream job: Anything working in the AFL
If you won a million dollars, what would you do with it? Donate it to help find a cure for type-1 diabetes
What would you do with your last $50? Buy a ticket to a Collingwood game and be in the cheer squad and mark a ball after the siren where Collingwood wins because of that goal...
Most treasured possession: All of my footy guernseys of teams I have played for, and my photo album
Pet hate: When people are rude for no reason, especially at work
*Just a reminder to all parents and girls aged 9-12 years: the Bendigo junior girls “come and try" football program starts this Friday, July 25, from 4.30pm-5.45pm.
This program will run for six weeks, in the hope of eventually developing an under-12 girls' league in Bendigo.
It is free and we welcome girls of all abilities.
Grace Campbell is the AFL Victoria-Bendigo Advertiser Female Football Ambassador for this region. Schools interested in Grace hosting a girls’ football clinic should contact Tony McNamara on 0419 103 178.