Havana Harris is one of the most unique concepts to come through the system in years
Havana Harris in action during the Coates Talent League match between Gold Coast Academy and Dandenong on May 5, 2024. Photo: AFL Photos
HAVANA Harris is what you might call a football unicorn.
You would be hard-pressed to find a player quite like the Gold Coast Suns Academy product. Harris’ versatility is her greatest weapon. She can tear teams apart as a midfielder, can be dominant in the ruck and is a force to be reckoned with as a forward.
Harris has explosive speed, a huge jump and real game-breaking ability, meaning it won’t be long before she is a household name in the AFLW competition.
The Bond University product began her football journey in sixth form at school, before joining local club the Burleigh Bombers a year later.
A star was born. From there, Harris rose through the ranks to the QAFL and the Suns Academy, where she thrived with every opportunity that came her way.
The 182 cm jet comes from a top sports background. Nippers, tennis and even Oztag (a no-holds-barred version of rugby league) all played a big role in her childhood.
But by her junior years, Harris’ passion was athletics. Harris was a talented athlete who competed in multiple events and regularly competed in the 100 meters and 200 meters, long jump and high jump.
“I was the best in the high jump, represented Queensland and won a few golds at national level,” she said AFL.com.au.
But it wouldn’t be long before footy became her greatest passion.
“Coming from an individual sport like track and field, I loved the team sport and the company of friends,” Harris said.
Havana Harris in action during the 2024 Marsh AFL U18 National Championships match between Western Australia and Queensland at Pentanet Stadium. Image: AFL Photos
“(Athletics) helped a lot with that speed and agility, everything you need to play.”
Harris had a dominant underage campaign in which she won the Queensland Under 18s MVP as a 17-year-old and gained valuable experience in the QAFL.
“It’s been great. Taking more care of myself and knowing what I’m capable of definitely played a big role this year,” she said.
It meant Harris became one of the faces of this year’s draft crop in 2024, but that certainly didn’t faze her.
“I think I handle pressure very well, I consider myself a quite relaxed person. I love football so I don’t really think there is too much pressure on me. I just come back to my reasons why I like I love football and that is being with the people I love and playing with friends,” she said.
The Suns Academy program has been crucial to Harris’ development throughout her journey, but especially in 2024.
Havana Harris during the AFL National Academy Girls training session at Ikon Park on January 19, 2024. Photo: AFL Photos
During the season, Harris was at the club twice a week, taking part in training and gym sessions. It means she is ready for senior football and can make an immediate impact in 2025.
“The connection with the girls at Gold Coast Academy is great. Everyone is friendly and they want to be there for a reason, which is to get better. The coaches there are great too,” she said.
“I’ve been working on my positioning on the ground, where I can be most dangerous. Something I want to improve is my speed.”
Harris has seen first-hand how much football is booming in Queensland. When she first started with the Burleigh Bombers, there were only two girls’ teams; now there are several from all age groups.
“Development in Queensland has changed massively with the Academy and the number of girls coming through,” Harris said.
“My mum is really involved. She still helps out with the Burleigh Bombers even though I don’t play there anymore. It’s great to have people like that really pushing for girls’ footy.”
Havana Harris during the AFLW National Draft Combine Day 2 at MSAC on October 6, 2024. Photo: AFL Photos
Off the soccer field, Harris loves the beach and enjoys traveling and hanging out with her friends.
“I love camping, you can camp in all these amazing places. I love camping right on the beach and then waking up and being able to go swimming and surfing,” she said.
“My whole family loves surfing, we go to a fun community event and getting my friends in the water is great.”