QUEENSLAND representative Zimra Hussain fell in love with the sport of Australian rules football since moving to Australia in 2014. The then eight-year-old relocated to Toowoomba in the Sunshine State, having grown up in Pakistan as a child.

“I picked it up in 2015,” Hussain said of her first football season. “Played Under 10s and then just played Under 12s and then got into rep teams and then moved to Brisbane because there wasn’t many opportunities in Toowoomba so just got into Lions Academy and now I’m here.”

It is never easy moving to a brand new country with little support system in place outside the immediate family dynamic, so they made the move from Toowoomba to Brisbane and is now playing at Wilston Grange Gorillas in the QAFL Women’s.

“We struggled for a bit at the start because we didn’t know anyone really,” Hussain said. “In the little country town in Toowoomba there wasn’t much to do there, so a couple of years later we moved to Brisbane because there’s a bit more to do here.”

Hussain has gradually moved up the ranks, having had experience through multicultural programs, and speaks fondly of a camp she attended last year in Melbourne where she was able to meet a host of AFLW stars.

“Mon Conti was there and so many other guns like Akec (Makur Chuot) from Hawthorn and Darcy Vescio,” Hussain said. “I had a chat to them and still to this day, I still chat to Mon about my journey and if I ask questions if I need to, those type of people getting to meet them and they help you.”

With her mother and sister providing key support for the top-ager off-field, the likes of Emma Zielke has done wonders for her game since coming onboard to the Lions program last tear.

“She’s just been unreal,” Hussain said. “I’ve probably learnt the most about footy than I have in the last couple of years.”

Looking up to the likes of Belle Dawes and Conti to mould her game on, Hussain said her most preferred role is midfield, though she has had a taste of playing half-back and up forward, the latter of which she is playing through the national carnival.

As for her individual game, Hussain leans more towards her footballing abilities as her strengths, while still working on her aerobic capacity.

“I think my skills are pretty good, kicking, and probably decision making,” Hussain said. “I’ve still got to work on it heaps more but just need to work on building my engine so hopefully I’m on track to do that.”

Born on January 1, Hussain is one day removed from being an over-ager, and is looking to make the most of her top-age season. Her main goal is to land on an AFLW list, and while the Brisbane Lions would be the perfect scenario, she said she was open to move interstate to “whoever’s keen the most”.

“Hopefully get drafted by the end of it (is my main goal),” Hussain said. “Just take it easy, and just take the opportunities and learn from it. We have Nat Grider, Belle Dawes, Shannon Campbell, some of the elite players comp and we have them as coaches. Learn from them.”