Emma
Swanson

Emma Swanson is no stranger to navigating her way through and excelling in male-dominated industries, as not only an elite athlete with AFLW club West Coast Eagles, but also as a professional firefighter for the WA Department of Fire and Emergency (DFES).

Current Work:

Emma has been driven to seek a career outside of her football and having had her application for the firefighter training program initially knocked back a couple of times before a successful application, Emma showed great perseverance and resilience to pursue her goals.

Many of the skills she requires for her role as a firefighter she takes and applies to her role as captain of West Coast Eagles, including performance under pressure, thriving on teamwork, high-level communication, and integrity.

Emma has developed elite time management skills, learning to juggle shift work and her AFLW training and playing schedule. Relocating from Western Australia for her initial playing career with GWS and struggling with homesickness, as well as working in a role with a high documented rate of post-traumatic stress, over the years Emma has developed a sound base of strategies to stay mentally fit and healthy.

Football is not only a career she loves, but also an outlet from work, along with life being outdoors boating, fishing, and traveling.