Mistee Sagigi, a rising star in the StreetSmarts SUNS Academy from Thursday Island, has been awarded the 2024 Troy Clarke Scholarship.
The scholarship, named in honour of the late Troy Clarke — a Brisbane Bears player and AFL Queensland Development Manager—recognises young athletes from regional Queensland who demonstrate qualities of dedication, passion, and respect, values that Troy Clarke upheld throughout his football career.
The scholarship will support Mistee in further developing her football skills, education, and personal growth.
Mistee’s journey into Australian rules football began through the AFL Cape York development program at Tagai State College on Thursday Island. It was immediately clear that she had a natural talent for the sport, which, combined with her determination, set her apart from the start.
In 2023, Mistee played her first competitive game at the StreetSmarts AFLQ Schools Cup gala day in Cairns, representing her college.
Her performance there led to an invitation to attend the Gold Coast SUNS Emerging Talent Carnival in Maroochydore later that year.
Her impressive form did not go unnoticed, and she was selected for the StreetSmarts Gold Coast SUNS Academy squad for the 2024 Under-16 Marsh AFL National Development Championships. At the championships, Mistee competed against teams from the Sydney Swans Academy, the Brisbane Lions Academy, and Western Australia.
In August 2024, Mistee’s consistent excellence earned her Queensland honours when she was chosen to represent the state at the National School Sport Australia Championships. She was also one of 38 Indigenous players selected to participate in the AFL's 2024 Woomeras program and represents the Cape York Crusaders.
Additionally, Mistee was selected for the Peninsula regional team for Under 17 girls and played in the Under 18 Indigenous South Pacific All Stars match vs. AFL Cairns All Stars.
Gold Coast SUNS Academy Manager Kath Newman emphasised the academy's commitment to providing opportunities for talent regardless of location.
“No matter where you live across our vast Gold Coast SUNS zone, if you have the talent and the desire to reach the highest level, we’ll support you,” she said.
“We hope Mistee’s success will pave the way for more Torres Strait Islanders to represent the SUNS.”
Trisha Squires, Head of AFL Queensland, congratulated Mistee on receiving the scholarship.
“We are thrilled to see Mistee awarded the 2024 Troy Clarke Scholarship. Her talent, hard work, and resilience truly embody the values this scholarship represents,” she said.
“At AFL Queensland, we are committed to supporting young athletes like Mistee, not only in their football development but in their overall growth as individuals.
“Mistee’s journey is a testament to what can be achieved with dedication and the right opportunities. We look forward to helping her continue to excel both on and off the field.”
Kieran Sciberras, AFL Cape York Development Coordinator, praised Mistee’s remarkable progress, highlighting the significance of her achievement.
“Mistee’s rise to such a high level of representative football shows that there is a genuine pathway for young people from remote Far North Queensland to reach elite AFL levels,” he said.
“She has made incredible progress in such a short time, and with no regular competitions on Thursday Island, her success makes us even prouder.
“There is no AFL field on the island. The closest is in Cairns, which requires a ferry ride, bus journey and plane trip to get to.
“Mistee is very driven, always putting in the extra hours, she’s a natural leader and a very good role model for the young kids who look up to her on the island.”
A presentation ceremony will take place in April 2025 when Mistee is in Southeast Queensland for Gold Coast SUNS representative duties.
Troy Clarke Scholarship Recipients
2023 – Raphael Geesu, Redland Victoria Point
2022 – Abbey Rankin, Moranbah
2020/21 – No award was presented due to Covid restrictions
2019 – Alana Gee, Mackay
2018 – Austin Harris, Cairns
2017 – Zimmorlei Farquarson, Darling Downs
2016 – Bruce Reville, Wide Bay
2015 – Dirk Koenen, Magnetic Island
2014 – Tom Matthews, Dalby
About the Troy Clarke Scholarship
In October 2013 Queensland’s AFL community lost one of its greats, with the tragic passing of then State Development Manager, Troy Clarke, aged 44.
An AFL Queensland Hall of Fame member, Clarke, played 68 games for the Brisbane Bears between 1991 and 1996 and was the only North Queenslander on the Queensland Team of the Century shortlist.
Clarke showed courage and commitment as a player, but it was his impact on footy after his retirement that will be his true legacy to the game.
To commemorate Clarke, AFL Queensland and the Clarke family launched The Troy Clarke Scholarship in 2014.
Troy consistently displayed wonderful values such as dedication, passion and respect and the scholarship aims to honour him by supporting a young person from regional Queensland who displays these same values.
