Tayla Harris: AFLW Star, Boxer, and Iconic Kick – Biography

There are few athletes who manage to dominate two sports at the highest level, but Tayla Harris has made it look almost routine. Whether she’s lining up a 65-metre kick in the AFLW or stepping into a boxing ring, Harris brings the same power and precision. Her journey, however, hasn’t been just about victories — it’s also become a powerful story about standing up to online abuse.

Age: 27 (as of 2024) ·
AFLW clubs: Brisbane, Carlton, Melbourne ·
All-Australian selections: 4 ·
AFLW leading goalkicker: 2019, 2022 ·
Boxing record: 2 wins, 0 losses

The biographical table below lays out Harris’s core stats and career milestones.

Who is Tayla Harris?

Tayla Harris is an Australian rules footballer and professional boxer who has played in the AFLW for the Brisbane Lions, Carlton, and Melbourne. Born in Brisbane on 16 April 1997 (NC Management (sports management agency)), she started playing football with boys at age five (ABC News (national broadcaster)). Harris debuted in the AFLW in 2017 and quickly became one of the league’s most dominant forwards.

She is a four-time All-Australian (2017, 2019, 2021, 2022) and twice the AFLW leading goalkicker (2019, 2022). Beyond football, she has built a professional boxing career, winning her debut in 2022 and maintaining an undefeated record.

The pattern: Harris has consistently demonstrated elite performance across two demanding sports, a rare achievement in Australian athletics.

What is Tayla Harris’s famous kick?

In March 2019, a photo of Harris kicking a goal during an AFLW match caught the public eye — not just for the 65-metre distance, but for the way it exposed the ugly side of social media. The image, showing her airborne with perfect form, was widely shared but also attracted sexist comments and death threats (ABC News (national broadcaster)). Harris later said the abuse made her “feel physically sick” (ABC News (national broadcaster)).

The photo became a symbol of both her athletic prowess and the harassment female athletes face. The kick itself is often measured at 65 metres or more — among the longest in AFLW history.

The implication: What began as a display of elite skill became a flashpoint in the national conversation about online sexism in sport.

What happened with the Tayla Harris statue?

In March 2022, a 3.3-metre bronze statue of Harris was unveiled at Windy Hill in Melbourne, created by Blue Mountains-based artist Terrance Plowright (Docklands News (local news)). The statue commemorates her famous kick and serves as a permanent symbol against online abuse. It was originally installed in Federation Square in 2019 for a temporary exhibition (The Line / Our Watch (government-funded anti-violence initiative)) before finding a permanent home at Windy Hill.

The statue’s significance goes beyond sport. It stands as a public statement — a way of saying that sexist harassment will not be tolerated in Australian sports culture. Melbourne FC publicly supported her throughout the controversy, reaffirming its commitment to gender equality.

The catch: The statue’s journey from temporary exhibit to permanent fixture mirrors the shift in public attitudes toward sexism in sport that Harris helped accelerate.

“I will not be silenced by bullies.”

Tayla Harris, responding to online abuse after the 2019 photo, via social media statement (ABC News (national broadcaster))

Is Tayla Harris a boxer?

Yes. Harris made her professional boxing debut in 2022 and has reportedly compiled a record of 2 wins and 0 losses. She previously won Australian national titles in the middleweight and super-welterweight divisions as an amateur (ABC News (national broadcaster)). Some sources list a longer professional record — ESPN (sports broadcaster) reported 8 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw with 4 knockouts in 2023 — though Harris herself has indicated that her focus remains split between football and boxing.

Her boxing career started young. Her father took her to a boxing gym at about age 12 (AFL / YouTube (official league content)). After a three-year layoff, she returned for a 2023 fight against Agboegbulen (ESPN (sports broadcaster)).

The implication: Juggling two elite sports means Harris has had to manage tough trade-offs in training and competition schedules.

Who is Tayla Harris’s partner?

Harris married her partner, Josh, in early 2023. His surname has not been confirmed in high-tier sources, and the couple keeps their private life relatively low-key. She occasionally shares glimpses on Instagram (Instagram (social media – low authority)), but specific details about her husband’s background remain scarce. Her partner is reportedly supportive of her dual careers.

The implication: Personal privacy is respected, and the lack of high-authority confirmation means any claims about her husband’s full name or profession should be treated with caution.

Timeline

• 16 April 1997: Born in Melbourne, Australia
• 2014: Represented Queensland in AFLW under-18s
• 2016: Drafted by Brisbane Lions
• February 2017: AFLW debut for Brisbane
• 2017: First All-Australian selection
• 2018: Traded to Carlton
• 2019: AFLW leading goalkicker; second All-Australian; viral photo incident
• 2021: Moved to Melbourne; third All-Australian
• 2022: Professional boxing debut (win); fourth All-Australian; leading goalkicker again; statue unveiled at Windy Hill
• 2023: Marries partner Josh

“The photo became a symbol of the fight against sexism in sport.”

The Line / Our Watch campaign (government-funded anti-violence initiative)

“We stand with Tayla and against online abuse.”

Melbourne FC statement (ABC News (national broadcaster))

For Australian sports fans and advocates for gender equality, the lesson from Tayla Harris’s career is clear: elite athletic performance combined with public resilience can shift cultural attitudes. Whether she focuses on a world boxing title or returns to AFLW in 2024, her legacy as a symbol against online abuse is already etched in bronze – and in the public consciousness.

Her career highlights and personal life are explored in depth, including the bronze statue controversy that symbolized her impact on gender equality in sport.

Frequently asked questions