Help Tully on her path back from knee surgery

Hello, my name is Tully Heatley, I’m a 17 year old footballer from Queensland, Australia.

 

In June 2024 I was invited to trial with an A-League club for a professional contract.  During the trial I suffered a serious injury to my left knee, rupturing my ACL and partially tearing my MCL.  I need surgery which involves reconstructing my ACL and then 12 months rehabilitation before I will be able to play again.  

 

Unfortunately, because the injury was sustained interstate, the costs of surgery and loss of income are not covered by insurance from my club registration. So I have created this page to try and help me get through the necessary surgery and my rehabilitation, and get back to playing football. The surgeon has told me it will take 12 months to make a full recovery.

 

This is a major blow at a crucial time at the beginning of my football career and my final year of school, and I will also suffer loss of my part-time income while I recover from surgery.

 

I have loved playing football since I was little.  I have represented Cairns (Peninsula) region in U12 football and futsal State Championships in 2019 (awarded futsal player of the tournament) and U15 School State Championships in 2021 where I was selected in the U15 State team.

When I was 15 years old I moved from my home in Cairns, away from my family and friends, to live in Brisbane where I played for Queensland Academy of Sport.  I attend Kelvin Grove State College where I am part of the football excellence program and I represented Metropolitan North region at the U19 School State Championships in 2022, where I was selected in the State team. I also represented Queensland at the U16 Youth Championships in 2022 and at the U18 National Training Challenge in 2023. 

 

In 2023 I was selected in the Future Matildas program and was selected in the extended squad for U20 national team (Young Matildas).  

This year I am completing year 12 and playing for Brisbane City FC.  Last month I was named in the extended squad for the upcoming Young Matildas camp and I travelled to Sydney for a week of training as part of the Future Matilda’s program.  Following that, later in June was when my injury occurred.

 

The year ahead will be the biggest challenge I have had to face, but I am confident I can come back from this injury stronger and achieve my goal to represent Australia.  But I need help to get there. If you feel you would be able to help support me in this journey, I would very much appreciate it. It would also be appreciated if you could share this with someone to help spread the word.

 

Thank you in advance to everyone taking time to read this far, and also for any help offered!