Fans Players

In My Element — Steph Chiocci

This video is brought to you by 2XP. The official sunscreen partner of the AFL Players’ Association.

AFL players often feel most at home on the field but that’s not the only place they prosper in life.

That’s especially the case with the league’s newest players. The majority of AFLW players have come from other industries where they joined the general public as full-time employees for years before the opportunity to be a footballer at the national level approached meteorically.

Collingwood skipper Steph Chiocci is one that fits the above description. Despite feeling most comfortable on the Olympic Park Oval turf in her beloved black and white, she’s equally adept in her uniform at Parkdale Secondary College as a physical education teacher, the career that continues post each AFLW season alongside her junior coaching endeavours.

Leadership and teaching often go hand-in-hand and her rise as the captain of one of the biggest clubs in the country has also had a positive effect on her career outside of the sport.

“Being a leader of a sporting club has helped my teaching more than my teaching has helped my leadership,” Chiocci told AFLPlayers.com.au.

“My passion for teaching started when I was at school and involved in PE classes. I was very sporty and thought maybe i could give this career a go.

“I love sport and love helping others and pursued that career.”

In the video above, Chiocci takes fans behind the lens to portray what her life looks like when the AFLW season comes to a close, as part of an exciting new video series, brought to you by 2XP.

As part of the AFL Players’ Association’s partnership with 2XP, every AFL and AFLW player will be supplied with sunscreen for all training and match days.