Monique Conti, international basketballer and inaugural AFL women's academy member, doesn't need to look far for role models.Â
"I would love to hopefully play AFLW and WNBL at the same time," said Conti, who plays basketball for the Melbourne Boomers in the WNBL and starred in the under-17 world championships for Australia.
![Multi-talented: Monique Conti is part of the first AFL Women's academy.](/web/20170424120039im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/k/n/1/6/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gvkokv.png/1492085233721.jpg)
"You can be good at both, I think that shows with Erin Phillips. I want to try and do that."
Phillips, freshly-anointed Adelaide Crows premiership player and league best and fairest, has shown just how well it can be done. Phillips, the daughter of Port Adelaide footy legend Greg, paused her basketball career with the Dallas Wings in the WNBA to play footy at the top level, and will now return to her professional basketball career in the US.
![Courting success: Monique Conti in action for the Australian under-17 team.](/web/20170424120039im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/k/n/1/9/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gvkokv.png/1492085233721.jpg)
Conti trains seven days days a week, while completing year 12 at Maribyrnong Sports Academy High School. It's a manic schedule for one of Australia's most talented young sports stars.Â
On a typical day the 17-year-old trains in the morning, then goes to school, trains again after school, and then comes home to study until 10pm or 11pm.
On school holidays she is part of the first ever AFL women's academy, where her mentor is former St Kilda player Ahmed Saad.Â
Saad, who was given an 18-month ban in 2013 for taking a banned substance found in an energy drink, is well placed to teach young footballers about the pitfalls of professional sport as well as basic skills such as managing a hefty workload. Â
"He has really been open about the ban and he has given us tips and advice like to check with your doctor about everything you put into your body," Conti said. "He says ... you need to act professional off the field so there isn't anything negative used towards you, but that you should also just keep being yourself."Â
The academy's 17-year-olds, including Conti, will be eligible for the next AFLW draft.
Modelled on the men's academy, which is celebrating its 20th year, the women are drilled in skills, tactical nous, nutrition, conditioning, media training and sport science.
The men's program is overseen by academy head Luke Power, with the women's program overseen by Western Bulldogs gun Aasta O'Connor.Â
Conti is small. Smaller than you'd expect of an international basketball prodigy and AFLW prospect. She was best afield in the under-17 all-star game that preceded last year's women's exhibition game at Whitten Oval.
But Conti doesn't take her immense sporting talent for granted. She stressed that her study is still vitally important.Â
"I just keep my teachers in the loop with everything so they understand if I can't get something done it's not just because I am being lazy it's because I've got sporting commitments."
Conti began football at age 11 when she convinced her mother to let her play. While her mother was worried about the physical side of footy, her father "really wanted me to give it a crack".Â
She started at the Doutta Stars in Essendon and after four seasons playing with the boys moved to a girls' team at Melbourne University.
"I always went to football games with my family growing up," Conti said. "I'm a mad North Melbourne supporter. When I started playing I found I was pretty good at it so I wanted to keep going."
She said juggling both sports had been difficult, but like many AFL stars basketball has helped her football development.Â
"On the basketball court you have to be really agile and quick and I think that transfers over to the footy field. I am able to get around people and come in and out of packs really quickly and that comes to me from basketball. Being on a smaller court and being quick and buzzing around."Â
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