Soccer star turned VFLW pro Amy Silver can do it all

Photo: Amy Silver


For many people, the idea of being an elite athlete in a chosen sport is something of a pipedream, then for the majority of people, the idea of being an elite athlete in two different sports, simply put, is absolute nonsense.

However, every now and then you hear about those special few individuals that can pull off the double life of a multi-sport elite athlete. 

Monash University’s own Amy Silver happens to be one of those individuals. The fourth year Law and Arts Honours student has played both Football and Soccer at a very high level.

A member of Monash’s Elite Student Performer Scheme (ESPS), Amy has gone from winning a National Championship for Victoria in soccer, to joining the VFLW as a footballer, her sporting talent can be matched by few others.

“I always loved football and used to play at lunchtime with the boys in primary school. As I got older there were no avenues for me to pursue football, so I played soccer instead.”

Amy has recently enjoyed significant success in both of her chosen sports. Whilst on exchange in the UK at Leeds University late last year, Amy was named as starting striker on the University’s Women’s ‘Firsts’ Soccer team.

The team competed in the Northern 1A league of the British Universities and College Sport (BUCS) league, Northern 1A being the second highest University league in the entire country. 
2018 Varsity Champions: Leeds University Women's 'Firsts' Soccer
Photo: Amy Silver

Amy scored a hat-trick on debut and managed to find the back of the net at least once in every game she played throughout the season. 
She finished the season as the teams highest goal scorer and the highlight of the teams outstanding year came when they were crowned Varsity Champions for the first time in 13 years after defeating rival University Leeds Beckett 3-2.

“The Firsts had never beaten [Leeds] Beckett in soccer. In the 2018 Varsity, we beat them 3-2 in which I scored the opening goal and Leeds University won Varsity overall for the first time.”

Since returning from exchange, Amy has stepped away from soccer to focus on football.

“I had played competitive soccer since I was 12, but only started [competitive] football at 20. The day before I went on exchange I played in AFL Victoria’s Young Guns Game which was comprised of the best young players in the state.

“Towards the end of 2017 I was invited by the St Kilda Football Club to come down and trial for the team, and the 2018 VFLW season was my first year of football.”

Although it may sound like it’s been nothing but one success after another for Amy, she has overcome her fair share of adversity on her journey to becoming the athlete she is today.

After finally getting her chance many years later to give competitive footy a crack, Amy suffered an ankle injury 3 minutes into her debut for St Kilda, tearing several ligaments.

“It was my first proper game of AFL football and against Carlton, the team I had supported my whole life. After a 7-month pre-season, I was so excited to finally play and it took me almost 2 months to recover.” 
Amy has big things planned for her future with St Kilda
Photo: Amy Silver


Fortunately, Amy was able to rehab her ankle properly and return to the team to play out the second half of the season without any issues.

However, playing for St Kilda in VFLW is just the beginning for this soccer star turned pro footy player. You don’t become a multi-sport athlete by taking your foot of the gas every time you succeed and Amy has aspirations to play in the AFLW when St Kilda joins the competition.

“As the Saints have a licence to enter the AFLW competition in 2020, everything has really ramped up this season. My aim is to play every game and be an integral part of the team.”

It’s become very clear that Amy is hungry for more success and all her past glory is just fuel to her competitive fire. Expect big things from Amy in the coming years, because her journey as a footballer has barely even started.

Be on the lookout in 2019 for how Amy’s season is progressing, this won’t be the last time you hear her name.

Written by: Joseph Arthur, Media Coordinator

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