A future AFLW draft prospect has thrived under the tutelage of Crows co-captain Chelsea Randall and the Bridgestone backed Crows Academies Program. 

Whyalla local Hannah Ewings, 16, joined the program in 2019 and regularly makes the four-hour drive to Adelaide to don the tri-colours. 

“The program has been amazing for me,” Hannah said.

“To work with Chelsea Randall, who I’ve looked up to for a while now… to see her in person is incredible.

“She’s a role model, not just for me, but for every young girl out there playing footy.”

Ewings already growing list of accolades include a SANFLW premiership - alongside Crows Club Champion Anne Hatchard - and selection in the SANFLW Team of the Year.

“It was amazing to win a flag,” Hannah said.

“I didn’t know what to expect, but the girls really got around me.”

For Randall, Ewings has always stood out as “something special”. 

“I remember my first time speaking with her, she was 13 years old,” Randall said.

“Jarrod Meers, the Crows Academies Manager, was running a Talent I.D. session in Whyalla for a group of boys, and Hannah was training with them. 

“Jarrod asked her who her favourite player was, she mentioned my name and we jumped on the phone to start talking.

“She’s been involved in the Academies Program ever since and to watch her grow and develop has been awesome.”

This year the Crows’ Female Academies Programs saw Australia’s most trusted tyre brand, Bridgestone, sign on as the inaugural partner.

Randall was also full of praise for major partner Bridgestone, who took an interest in the Academies Program due to the focus developing grassroots talent across South Australia.

“We couldn’t do it without them,” Randall said.

“It’s amazing to see such an incredible organisation like Bridgestone get behind such a valuable program.”

Bridgestone’s commitment to the Crows Academies Program is driven by the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, known as ‘Our Way to Serve’. 

Through ‘Our Way to Serve’, Bridgestone aims to enhance the way people live, work and play through a focus on mobility, people and the environment. 

Hannah’s day-long round trip commitment to chasing her AFLW dream is a key example of why the leading tyre company is investing in the grassroots football program.  

For more information on the Crows Academies Programs, click here.