For Kylie Lynch, sport has always been more than just a game. It has been a home, a teacher, and now, a platform for change.
“I’m a sports lover, player, and assistant coach, who is a passionate advocate for women in sport,” Kylie says. “Right now, I’m rehabbing an ACL injury with Port Melbourne VFLW while assistant coaching the Caulfield Grammarians Senior Women’s team.
This season has been about growth in a different way. I have been deepening my leadership skills off the field and preparing to come back stronger to take my footy and leadership to the next level when I return to play.”
Beyond the boundary line, Kylie is also making her mark in sports media as Head of Relations at Channel 7’s Streamer, a community sports streaming service dedicated to shining a spotlight on grassroots and underrepresented sport.
“I’m committed to driving change in the sporting landscape and ultimately aspire to become a sports presenter so I can continue creating space and opportunity for the next generation of female athletes and professionals,” she explains.
Kylie’s love for sport began early. “I was drawn to sport from a young age because of the community, the competitiveness, and the feeling of pushing yourself past your limits,” she recalls.
“I grew up playing just about every sport, but continued with Polocrosse as my primary sport until I was 18, getting to play across the world. Now AFL is my sport and my life.”
What sport gave her went far beyond fitness. “It built my confidence, resilience, and leadership skills. It’s where I found my voice and my purpose to help other girls and women realise their potential.”
One moment Kylie will never forget came on a polocrosse field. “Leading the first-ever NSW Number 2 side to defeat the NSW Number 1 team was huge.
That win was about more than the scoreboard; it was a breakthrough moment that proved what belief, attitude, and resilience can achieve. A true underdog story.”
Her journey with AFL has also been full of highlights. “I’ve been lucky to win AFL premierships in both Canberra and the Northern Territory. Two completely different football environments, one slightly warmer than the other, but each incredibly rewarding and some of the greatest team cultures I’ve been a part of.”
Leadership has been a natural progression for Kylie. From captaining the NSW polocrosse team against the USA to her current role as an assistant coach, her approach to leadership has evolved.
“Representing my state on an international stage taught me the importance of composure, communication, and leading by example,” Kylie says. “Now, as I rehab my ACL injury, coaching has given me an opportunity to lead in a different way through mentorship, tactical input, and supporting players as people first and athletes second.”
For Kylie, leadership is about service. “It’s not about a title. It’s about kindness and creating space for others to shine and thrive.”
When Kylie joined Play Like a Girl’s Empowered to Lead program, she was looking for more than just theory. “I wanted to sharpen my leadership skills so that I can return to the field as a more well-rounded leader and best serve my team,” she says.
What she found exceeded her expectations. “I expected tools and frameworks and I got those, but I didn’t expect just how powerful the community would be. The program created space for vulnerability, real talk, and connection. It was incredible.”
One moment stood out. “There was a session where we reflected on limiting beliefs and how they show up in leadership. That was a turning point for me. I realised how often I’d second-guessed myself or stayed small in spaces where I could have stepped up. That awareness has stayed with me.”
The impact has been immediate. Recently, Kylie facilitated a team culture session using the coaching tools she learned in the program. “Rather than telling players what to do, I asked questions that sparked reflection and ownership. The buy-in was so much higher, and accountability shifted to the playing group.”
For Kylie, the lessons from sport apply everywhere. “The rules are simple. Consistently show up, work hard, back yourself, and support your team. I genuinely believe every girl and woman should play sport because the skills and confidence you gain are transferable to just about every life situation.”
Kylie’s vision for women in sport is bold. “I’d love to see a world where women and girls don’t have to choose between pursuing a sporting career and building a normal career. We need greater investment in female athletes at every level for visibility, infrastructure, and leadership development.”
And she is doing her part to make it happen. “I’ve just launched my women in sport podcast 4TG (For the Girls). It’s about real, inspiring conversations with pro athletes, industry leaders, and experts, giving young female athletes the stories, insights, and tools they need to thrive, not just in sport but in life.”
She also plans to return to the field next season and step into sports media to elevate women’s sport to where it deserves to be.
So, what does it mean to Play Like a Girl? Kylie smiles before answering.
“To play with heart, hustle, and grit. It’s about owning your feminine power, lifting others as you rise, and never dimming your light for anyone. It’s a badge of honour and a reminder that strength and softness can absolutely co-exist.”
We are so proud of Kylie and everything she is achieving both on and off the field. The entire Play Like a Girl community is behind her every step of the way.
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