Courtney Ugle

Courtney Ugle is a star footballer for Essendon’s VFLW team who has played an instrumental role in developing the club’s Women’s football program.

Originally from Bunbury, Western Australia, she was inspired to take up football during her mid-teens after seeing her older brother Kirk get drafted into the AFL by Collingwood.

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In 2018, Courtney made the move to Melbourne and joined Essendon’s VFLW team at a time when the club’s women’s football program was in its infancy.

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Capable of playing in multiple positions, she played a key part in the club’s rise from wooden-spooners in 2018 to Grand Finalists in 2021 and is currently the team’s vice-captain.

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A Noongar woman and a Deadly & Proud advocate, Courtney is well placed to play a leading role in the upcoming AFLW season in addition to continuing her advocacy and ambassadorial (with Coles) work.

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Off the field, she also works as the club’s Women’s Football Development Coordinator as well as overseeing Essendon’s newly launched First Nations women’s development program.

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Having lost both her parents at a young age in tragic circumstances, Courtney is a passionate campaigner against domestic violence and speaks regularly about football’s influence in helping her overcome the adversities she has faced in life.