DANDENONG Stingrays ruck Sophie White enjoyed representing Vic Country as a bottom-ager and her performances impressed selectors enough to secure a spot in the National Academy squad. White comes into 2026 as one of the top talls for her state and is looking to build on that strong 2025 form.

We spoke to White at the Talent League Girls Preseason Testing Day about her footy journey, game, influences and goals for the year ahead.

Q: Sophie, tell us a little bit about your footy journey?

SW: “I started my footy playing for Mount Eliza. I started playing basketball before I played footy. My dad really wanted me to get into footy. Started playing footy, hated it so stopped playing footy. Came back a few years later and started loving it. I’ve been playing ever since.”

Q: How was the step up from local footy to the Stingrays?

SW: “It’s been awesome. I’ve had a lot of support along the way. Mum’s been amazing, just made it really enjoyable, and never felt like I had to go to footy, it was I get to go to footy.”

Q: What role do you anticipate you’ll play this year? Still ruck?

SW: “Yeah I’m still playing primarily in the ruck.”

Q: What do you see as some of the strengths in your game?

SW: “My aerial contest work and my footy IQ.”

Q: What are you looking to improve on at the moment?

SW: “My ability to play forward and reading a contest.”

Q: Who’s had the most individual influence on your career?

SW: “My mum. She’s been awesome, she’s been such a good influence on me, just keeps me grounded. Always gets the best out of me, I’m so lucky.”

Q: Which AFLW club do you support?

SW: “Sydney Swans.”

Q: What’s the reason for that, just family?

SW: “Yeah, always South Melbourne then they moved over to the Swans and they put a girls team together finally so they’re on the rise for sure.”

Q: What goals do you set for yourself this year?

SW: “To get the best out of myself, push myself as hard as I can. Hopefully get the final prize at the end of the year.”

Q: Playing with Vic Country and being in the National Academy, what’s that experience been like?

SW: “It’s been awesome. Such a good support, Vic Country are amazing. Was lucky enough to play a couple of games with them last year. Know the girls, know the coaches, they’ve been amazing, and Academy’s just so good. Getting to have relationships with girls from all across the country and access to those coaching staff and ex-AFLW players is amazing.”