Ameleia “Millie” Murray of the Brisbane Lions Academy has been awarded the 2025 Troy Clarke Scholarship.
The scholarship, named in honour of the late Troy Clarke, a Brisbane Bears player and AFL Queensland Development Manager, recognises young athletes from regional Queensland who demonstrate qualities of dedication, passion, and respect, values that Troy upheld throughout his career.
The scholarship will support Millie in further developing her Australian rules football skills, education and personal growth. She was presented the scholarship earlier today at AFL's head office in Queensland, in front of staff, family and friends of Troy.
2025 was a breakout year for Mille. She represented the Youi Brisbane Lions Academy at the 2025 Marsh AFL National Development Championships U16 Girls in April and was rewarded with All Australian selection following her standout performances in the forward line.
Millie represented Queensland twice at the 2025 Marsh AFL National Championships – U18 Girls as a 16 year-old and competed in the Coates Talent League Girls competition for the Youi Brisbane Lions Academy.
In June she was named in the Toyota AFL Indigenous Academy – Girls where she had the opportunity to participate in a camp and play in showcase matches.
Locally, Millie plays for the Maroochydore Roos in the Maccas South East Queensland Juniors competition.
Originally from Cherbourg, Millie and her family, including brother Caylen, also a talented player, made the move to the Sunshine Coast to further their playing opportunities. Her dad Brett regularly starts his work shift at 3am so he can pick her up after school, to then take her and Caylen to training.
Off the field, Millie is a respected leader at her high school, where she is the Indigenous Captain at Maroochydore State High.
Millie said this scholarship would assist her greatly in pursuing her dreams of one day playing in the NAB AFL Women’s competition.
“I feel very honoured and I am very grateful for this scholarship,” she said.
“I would like to thank the Clarke family, AFL Queensland, the Brisbane Lions Academy, family, coaches, teammates and friends.
“They have all helped me so much on and off the field.”
Head of AFL Queensland and International Trisha Squires congratulated Millie on receiving this prestigious recognition.
“We are thrilled to award Millie the 2025 Troy Clarke scholarship,” she said.
“Throughout 2025, Millie demonstrated her passion and dedication to our game by making the most of the opportunities in front of her.
“With the skill and talent she possesses, we look forward to watching her excel even further both on and off the field.”
Head of the Youi Brisbane Lions Academy Dayne Frew congratulated Millie.
“Millie’s development has come along in leaps and bounds, and this award is a great credit to her and due recognition of her commitment,” he 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.”
Troy Clarke Scholarship Recipients
2025 - Ameleia Murray, Cherbourg/Sunshine Coast
2024 – Mistee Sagigi, Thursday Island
2023 – Raphael Geesu, Redland Victoria Point
2022 – Abbey Rankin, Moranbah
2020/21 – No award was presented due to COVID-19 restrictions
2019 – Alana Gee, Mackay
2018 – Austin Harris, Cairns
2017 – Zimmorlei Farquarson, Darling Downs
2016 – Bruce Reville, Wide Bay
2015 – Dirk Koenen, Magnetic Island
2014 – Tom Matthews, Dalby
About the Troy Clarke Scholarship
In October 2013 Queensland’s AFL community lost one of its greats, with the tragic passing of then State Development Manager, Troy Clarke, aged 44.
An AFL Queensland Hall of Fame member, Clarke, played 68 games for the Brisbane Bears between 1991 and 1996 and was the only North Queenslander on the Queensland Team of the Century shortlist.
Clarke showed courage and commitment as a player, but it was his impact on footy after his retirement that will be his true legacy to the game.
To commemorate Clarke, AFL Queensland and the Clarke family launched The Troy Clarke Scholarship in 2014.
Troy consistently displayed wonderful values such as dedication, passion and respect and the scholarship aims to honour him by supporting a young person from regional Queensland who displays these same values.
