- India Rasheed, 18, has been recruited by Adelaide Crows
- Talented teenager picked 13th in 2024 AFLW draft
- Australian tennis identity Roger Rasheed was ‘super proud’
Decorated Australian tennis coach Roger Rasheed has joined the Adelaide AFLW team as a match day ‘runner’ ahead of next season, despite being a high-profile Port Adelaide supporter.
But before football fans question Rasheed’s loyalty, he has a valid excuse for becoming a sporting renegade: his daughter India has been recruited by the Crows.
The 2024 AFLW draft went national for the first time on Monday night, with India, chosen with the 13th pick, being one of the talking points.
Rasheed, who was seen wearing a Crows scarf, said he was “super proud.”
“You love seeing your kids doing what they love,” said the former coach of Australian tennis great Lleyton Hewitt.
“I’m part of the (AFLW) academy, so to see the girls deal with that… they should all get credit, and now they get a chance to shine in the big leagues.”
Rasheed, a prominent Power supporter, was asked if he was ready to “convert” AFL clubs.
“Yeah, apparently I’m the running back now,” he said.
Decorated Australian tennis coach Roger Rasheed has joined the Adelaide AFLW team as a match day runner ahead of next season, despite being a high-profile Port Adelaide supporter.
But before football fans question Rasheed’s loyalty, he has a valid excuse for becoming a sporting renegade: his daughter India was selected by the Crows in the 2024 AFLW draft as the 13th pick (in the photo).
Roger Rasheed coached players such as Lleyton Hewitt, Gael Monfils and Gregor Dimitrov on the ATP circuit.
In addition to coaching Hewitt, Rasheed also mentored French stars Gaël Monfils (2008-2011) and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (2012-2013), as well as Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov on the ATP circuit.
Meanwhile, the Crows were delighted to secure the services of India Rasheed, who they described as a “skilled ball-winner and damaging striker with excellent football IQ”.
“It’s probably been the most stressful week of my life,” she said after being drafted.
“I was a Port fan, but I’ll have to change that now.”
The 18-year-old is a two-time All Australian after a string of standout performances at the AFLW Under 18 National Championships.
She was also named South Australia’s Most Valuable Player as a junior player in 2023.
After an exceptional season with Sturt, Rasheed won the 2024 SANFLW Breakthrough Player Award and finished third in the SANFLW Best and Fairest points tally.
The 2024 AFLW draft: Top 10
1. Ash Center (Collingwood)
2. Havana Harris (Costa Dorada)
3. Molly O’Hehir (Melbourne)
4. Sara Howley (GWS)
5. Zipporah Fish (Sydney)
6. Poppy Scholz (Carlton)
7. Lucia Painter (West Coast)
8. Emma McDonald (Western Bulldogs)
9. Grace Belloni (Essendon)
10. Alexis Gregor (Geelong)
– With AAP