Seven is Heaven - meet the Southern Saints Leadership Group

16/03/2023

The Southern Saints have named a seven-player leadership group ahead of the 2023 season, headlined by Co-Captains Tayla Kearns and Ali Hynes.

Showcasing the Saints' vast experience and multitude of strengths, players, staff and coaches have backed in Winnie Laing, Ebony Nixon, Nicki Cormack, Jemima Wrigley and Madi Capsalis to round out the Leadership Group.

Head Coach Michelle ‘Alpha’ Densley spoke of the group’s diversity - a message that was supported by all of her newly-appointed leaders. 

‘I don’t believe in having leaders that are all the same or similar as they don’t cater for all different personalities,’ she notes.

Alpha described the differences each player provides, from professionalism, to relatability, ‘tough love’, immense experience, football knowledge and everything in between. 

‘I’m excited to have them all on board and I’m very proud of them’, she confessed - a statement that echoes her sentiments when announcing the Leadership Group for the first time at the Southern Saints Season Launch. 

When asked which member of her Leadership Group would be most likely to eat pizza for breakfast, Alpha didn’t have to think for long to come up with an answer.

‘Winnie,’ she confessed, ‘and it was probably left out in her room overnight as well.’

Luckily for Laing, her Co-Captains disagreed - with Kearns taking out the title of the pizza-for-breakfast queen. 

Co-Captains Ali Hynes and Tayla Kearns didn’t only speak about pizza - they spoke with immense pride when asked about their role and the cohesion of their Leadership Group;

‘We’re both feeling really excited and very privileged.’ 

‘[As a group], it feels pretty diverse in how we approach things, it feels quite exciting to have that sense of collaboration already.’

Both Hynes and Kearns are also line leaders in the forward and backline respectively coming into the 2023 season, a role which allows them to connect the team with the goals they need to achieve. 

Coming to the Saints during the same period in 2021, they are looking forward to working together, with Hynes describing their co-captaincy as a ‘stroke of luck’. 

Kearns also details the excitement behind working with the extended group, highlighting the vast experience that each leader brings.

Both Kearns and Hynes also emphasised the importance of leaning on the support that surrounds them and learning from past leaders;

‘Southern Saints have always been renowned for having a great culture as a club … in part due to previous leadership and coaches and that’s something we’re hoping to continue.’ 

They detailed the impact that past captain Dee Jay had - and continues to have - on the development of their leadership qualities, and despite the thought that they have ‘big shoes to fill’, they couldn’t be more grateful to continue to build on the culture she created. 

Alpha had nothing other than positive words to describe her Co-Captains, who she noted to ‘exude professionalism’ whilst remaining ‘amazing humans’.

‘I believe in surrounding yourself with people that not only support you but challenge you and that’s exactly what these two do. I’m very proud of them both and excited to see them lead this elite group.’

First-year Saints player, Jemima Wrigley, described the opportunity to be a part of the group as ‘exciting’ - a word that seems to be on everyone's lips around the Southern Saints camp heading into this season.

‘I find a lot of fulfilment in leading … I really enjoy the challenge of being a leader in a team environment, as it keeps me accountable to uphold the team values in everything I do and encourage others to do.’

Wrigley stressed the importance of leading by example to ensure the team remains connected both on and off the field, labelling it the ‘key’ to a successful team.

This is echoed by fellow leader Nicki Cormack - the player which Wrigley expressed she was most looking forward to working with. 

Cormack’s wish is to continue the great culture the Southern Saints are renowned for, which relies on holding each other accountable and remaining professional whilst having fun. Her role, alongside Wrigley, is to lead the midfield - being a ‘voice out on the field’ and organising structures. 

Notions of ‘professionalism’, ‘excitement’ and ‘differing strengths’ were all discussed by Cormack, proving just how intune this group is with each other as well as their Head Coach. 

It is evident how eager these leaders are to take the team to the next level in 2023, with each player relaying the same sentiments.

Winnie Laing looks to build a space where everyone is welcome and feels comfortable - the perfect stepping stone for success.

‘I hope each player feels that they can come to us with anything. We can really make an impact on the wellbeing and happiness of individuals in the squad.’

Going into her second year, Laing has ‘loved every second’ of her time with the Saints. 

Alpha described both Laing and fellow midfielder Madi Capsalis as ‘real role models to the younger players.’

Madi Capsalis exemplifies leading by example, bringing ferocity to the midfield and professionalism to everything she does. Her best-and-fairest placing in her first year represents her importance to the Saints and her dedication to her team and her training.

Providing more experience within the group is Ebony Nixon, who has been with the Saints since 2019. Nixon understands the environment and culture of the club described by Cormack and Laing and is excited to utilise that in assisting younger players.

‘I'm probably the most excited about watching our young players come through and assisting them in any way I can to get them where they want to be, whether it's just settling in at VFL, only playing VFL or whether they want to go one further to AFL. We have a really committed young side with really good talent and to be a part of leading them through the season on field and off field is a really exciting prospect.’

Nixon also highlights the importance of not just the contributions of the Leadership Group, but the contributions of all of those involved in the club. She recognises the group’s role in ensuring a ‘safe and stable environment off field’ and utilising ‘whatever tools they can provide’ to enable each player to play their best footy.

And that is exactly what to expect of this group in 2023.

Together, they are aiming high - to go one better.

After a strong and cohesive pre-season, we hope that the diverse strengths of this Leadership Group continue to be displayed as round one gets underway next week.

Go Saints!

Written By Chloe Williams - Sandringham Football Club Media