Tayla Harris - More than a Kick: Footy, the Photo and Me

AFLW player Tayla Harris was at work on the footy field when she kicked a goal. A photo of the kick taken by Michael Willson showcased her incredible athletic ability and was posted online. What happened next was an extraordinary turning point in Taylas life. The photo quickly became iconic as Tayla stood strong against the online trolls.

This is the inspiring story of Taylas stellar sporting career so far, and her hard-earned advice to young people navigating the ups and downs of social media.

Tayla is showing young women that you can wear glitzy gowns and rock stilettos, and you can also be a hardcore athlete who sweats and spits and kicks the footy, as well as a total dag in tracky-dacks with food-stains on your front.

Patty Kinnersly

The best way to show them is to show them up.

Warren Harris

CONTENTS

Before the photo, not many people knew who I was.

Even now, if someone says my name the response will usually be, Tayla who?

Then theyll say something like, Womens footy... kick... photo... trolls...

And the penny drops. Oh yeah, right her.

That photo turned my life upside-down.

Some of what came after was scary and distressing and confronting and I wouldnt wish it on anyone. But most of what came after was inspiring and uplifting and amazingly cool.

Writing a book has never been on my to-do list and, to be honest, a year ago it was the last thing on my mind. But after it all blew up I was continually being asked about the kick, the photo and the trolling. There was a ton of media surrounding the story and I needed to set the record straight.

I also wanted to share what Id learned from the experience. I figure if I can help just one young person feel better about navigating social media, then this is a good way to do it.

Ive put in some background about the influences that shaped me and a few of the people who are important to me so you can see where Im coming from.

And theres lots of stuff about the socials the good, the bad and the ugly with bits of advice that Ive picked up along the way.

Also photos. Lots of photos.

1. TAYLA WHO?

I grew up in the northern suburbs of Brisbane with my dad, Warren, my mum, Lisa, and my brother, Jack, who is two years older than me.

Mum and Jack are business-minded brainiacs while me and Dad are sports-mad fitness freaks.

My parents have always been incredibly hands-on and supportive of whatever we kids choose to do.

There are girls who like ballet and there are girls who like football. Every one of them has to find their place and every one of them has the right to take that place.
Warren Harris (Dad)