Returning a Mum Means the World to Sharp

Ashley Sharp has already crammed plenty into her AFLW and WAFL Women’s playing career, but her return to Swan Districts in 2025 has her extra excited for her two sons to get to see their mum out there playing.

Sharp has already had a tremendous playing career including at Swan Districts, dating back to the former WA Women’s Football League and then once the WAFL Women’s was formed in 2019.

She played the first of those four seasons with Swans including kicking 16 goals in her 16 matches in 2022 which went hand in hand to what she did at the Fremantle Dockers after being drafted in 2016.

While Sharp did play that 2022 season for Swans following the birth of her first son Spencer, the family focus took over from there and since then her and partner Spencer have also welcomed Shayden into the world.

It would have been easy for Sharp to think her playing days were behind her, but she had stayed involved in football by coaching the Talent Development program with Swan Districts and got back to playing at Bassendean in the Perth Football League in 2024.

That had piqued her interest to come back and play in the WAFL Women’s competition in 2025 and if she was going to do it, it was never going to be anywhere but with Swan Districts.

“Yeah life is crazy with two crazy, energetic boys haha!,” Sharp said.

“I played last season in the PFL for Bassendean which I enjoyed but after that season was done I was ready to give WAFLW another crack.

“Coming back to Swans was a no brainer. I have been at the club since I was 15 years old and loyalty is a big thing for me. I can’t see myself playing for any other WAFLW club ever!”

Given she spent virtually a decade playing with Swan Districts and then was an inaugural Fremantle Dockers player and went on to play 34 AFLW games for 25 goals, Sharp had nothing left to prove while she took some time away with family her focus.

However, she still had that desire to come back to play and help out an increasingly youthful Swans playing group as much as she can.

“A lot of people have said to me what’s the point of going back to WAFLW since you have already done it?,” Sharp said.

“But for me it’s bringing that experience and knowledge back to the club where it all started for me.

“With our playing list being so young its passing what I’ve learnt down to them and hopefully they learn a thing or two from us older girls.”

Having the desire and determination to come back to play is one thing, but the physical reality is another thing which Sharp has found the toughest part about preparing for the 2025 season.

“Personally my experience coming back is very different to others…. coming off having two kids and not playing much footy or doing much pre-season, getting my body right and ready to go has been my main priority,” she said.

“The toughest part has definitely been trying to keep up with all the young girls as they just keep getting quicker and fitter.”

As for the life Sharp is now already juggling and attempting to throw training and playing in the WAFL Women’s competition into the mix as well is something that is certainly hectic, but having her sons watching her play makes it all worth it.

“I am very lucky to have such a supportive partner and family,” Sharp said.

“They help me out with the boys on training nights and game days. Without them I definitely wouldn’t be able to commit my time and effort back into the WAFLW.

“My oldest son loves his footy days. I bring him down to trainings often and he loves getting around the girls and running around on the sidelines.

“Our practice game against Perth on the weekend was a really ‘hit me’ moment when I could hear him yelling ‘mum mum mum’ from the sidelines. It really makes it all worth it!”

Given both Sharp and her partner Spencer have both a football and basketball background, there’ll be no shortage of options or pressure on what sport their sons might end up playing.

“We have this debate about which sport our boys will play all the time. I’m hoping for footy and Spencer is hoping for basketball. Regardless we are happy with whatever sport they choose,” Sharp said.

“Hopefully the boys have some sort of sporting ability when they are older and we have some future mother/son drafts in the AFL!”