Kya Wills-Rawlings is a multi-sport sensation, excelling across the sports of AFL, rugby 7s and athletics while studying at Matthew Flinders Anglican College. As she enters Year 11 in 2026, Kya will be supported through the Flinders Elite Athlete Program to focus on both her studies and her sports, ensuring she makes the most of her education and nurtures her health and wellbeing.
In this Q&A profile, Kya shares her recent achievements and dreams for the future along with appreciation for the role models and support network who keep her focused and healthy.
Please share some of your recent sporting achievements.
Being a multi-sport athlete, I have earned state and national selections in rugby 7s, AFL and athletics. In 2025, I was selected in the All-Australian AFL 15-Years Girls team while captaining Queensland to a hard-fought silver medal and receiving the Sportsmanship Award of the championship. I also represented the Brisbane Lions Academy U16 Level 2 team at the national championships.
Beyond AFL, I was chosen for the U16 Queensland White 7s team to play at the Schoolgirls Championship, where I earned the Best Team Player Award before being later selected in the U18 Australian Schoolgirls squad as a 15-year-old.
Off the field, I compete in athletics through School Sport Queensland, placing 3rd in the 400m and 2nd in the 800m at the 2024 state championships, although no national pathway was offered. While surf lifesaving has become more limited due to field sport commitments, I represented the Sunshine Coast team at the inter-branch championships in the 2023/24 season and later placed 4th in the beach sprints and 3rd in the flags at the state championships.
What are your sporting goals?
My sporting goals are to continue playing good, consistent rugby and AFL, while also continuing with the Schools Queensland and AUS 7s and Brisbane Lions Academy to hopefully play both sports at the highest level. I hope to make the Australian Schoolgirls 18-Years team in the future and earn All-Australian honours in 2026 for the Academy AFL team. Overall, I strive to continue building my knowledge and skills around both games to reach my potential.
In the future, beyond school, I am striving to be drafted in the AFLW draft in my respective draft year and in rugby 7s my goal is to be chosen to attend the World Series or the Olympics.
What are your academic goals at Flinders?
My academic goals are to make the most of all the amazing academic and co-curricular opportunities available at Flinders. I hope to continue achieving good grades and marks while finding a balance between academics and sports, enabling me to receive the best ATAR possible and create opportunities in the future at universities or other institutions.
What support are you enjoying through FEAP?
Finding a balance between sport and school can definitely be challenging, but through the FEAP program, I have received valuable support from Ms Nourse, particularly helping with time management and organising different clashes and events in preparation. The program has helped me grow as an athlete both on and off the field, giving me the opportunity to meet, speak with and learn from elite athletes through various workshops. These experiences have helped me develop essential skills and characteristics for the future. The support I’ve received has been immensely helpful and beneficial, and I’m truly grateful for everything the program has provided.
What new skills and strategies are you learning?
As part of FEAP, I’m developing important time management and organisation skills that help me create balance and plan ahead for future events. With support from Ms Nourse, the workshops and even other students in the program, I’ve learned that putting in the hard work now, while keeping a positive attitude, will show in both my performance and everyday life.
Do you have a favorite FEAP workshop so far?
My favourite workshop would have to be either Alyssa Koenen’s session on Nutrition or Georgia Bodle’s Beyond Mindset. Learning how to fuel properly for performance and recovery, along with understanding how to manage setbacks and push through challenges, is so important, especially when playing sport at a high level where injuries or tough moments can happen. I also love hearing from elite and professional athletes, as their personal stories and journeys toward their goals are both inspiring and motivating.
What else have you enjoyed about FEAP?
The FEAP program is an amazing opportunity for young athletes to gain insight into the discipline, structure and unseen work that comes with being an athlete. I have loved using the facilities and being part of a supportive, like-minded group where everyone is striving toward similar goals. The workshops, guidance and ongoing support have benefited me both academically and athletically. The connections I’ve made along with the chance to learn from experienced mentors have had a big impact on my personal and sporting development.
Tell us about your sporting role model.
My sporting role models are the Levi sisters, Maddison and Teagan Levi. Teagan especially inspires me because she proves that with hard work, courage and commitment, you can chase your dreams, achieve your goals and keep striving. After being drafted to the AFLW with the Gold Coast Suns, she received many offers and made the move to switch codes to rugby 7s, something I would love to achieve myself. Her loyalty to her team and the humility she carries are qualities I truly admire and aspire to have.
Another inspiration in my life is my Dad. He has always supported me, and I couldn’t be more grateful for him as my biggest supporter. A quote he has always told me is, “It's not a race, it's a journey”, and I continue to remind myself of this.
To learn more about the Flinders Elite Athlete Program and how to apply, visit here.
