NewZ NewZ with a Zeal
Today we are highlighting 20 notable Australian WAGs (Wives and Girlfriends of prominent athletes). Rather than focusing on fashion or physical beauty, this list looks at their community work, charitable pursuits, and the positive impact they have away from the spotlight. While not exhaustive—and acknowledging that there are many others who also contribute—these women stand out for turning their public profiles into vehicles for good.
1. Anna Weatherlake (married to cricketer Peter Siddle)
Anna Weatherlake is well-known for her staunch advocacy of animal welfare and environmental causes. A long-time vegetarian (alongside her husband, Peter Siddle), she actively supports a variety of animal rights organizations, promotes cruelty-free living, and frequently speaks on sustainability issues. Through social media and speaking engagements, she raises awareness about reducing carbon footprints, responsible pet ownership, and more humane treatment of animals.
Community Involvement Highlights:
- Advocacy for PETA and other animal-rights charities
- Public talks encouraging adoption of rescue animals
- Frequent fundraising campaigns tied to sustainable living
2. Becky Boston (partner of cricketer Pat Cummins)
Becky Boston, engaged to Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins, has grown a significant social media following of her own. Although perhaps more private than some other WAGs, she has quietly supported various initiatives focusing on children’s health and education in Australia and abroad. She also regularly uses her platforms to encourage donations to relief funds in response to global disasters.
Community Involvement Highlights:
- Supporting children’s hospital charities in Australia
- Promoting fundraising for global relief efforts
- Encouraging her followers to donate and volunteer locally
3. Kayla Boyd (married to rugby league player Darius Boyd)
Kayla Boyd has built a platform advocating for mental health awareness, spurred in part by her husband Darius Boyd’s own public battle with depression. Kayla uses her story—and Darius’s journey—to encourage discussions around self-worth, counseling, and removing stigmas around mental illness.
Community Involvement Highlights:
- Advocates open dialogue about depression and anxiety
- Publicly champions seeking professional help without shame
- Collaborations with mental health organizations for public speaking
4. Zoe Marshall (married to rugby league player Benji Marshall)
Zoe Marshall wears many hats—radio host, podcaster, and writer. Beyond those roles, she dedicates much of her outreach to fostering frank conversations about mental wellbeing, relationships, and women’s health. Zoe is also known for highlighting organizations that work to empower women from marginalized backgrounds.
Community Involvement Highlights:
- Public speaker on women’s health, postpartum care, and mental wellness
- Regularly contributes to women’s shelters and empowerment programs
- Uses her podcast to host experts and drive awareness for mental health resources
5. Jesinta Franklin (married to AFL player Lance “Buddy” Franklin)
A prominent model and media personality, Jesinta Franklin (née Campbell) has channeled her profile into supporting causes tied to both mental health and Indigenous affairs. She has worked closely with a variety of nonprofits, leveraging her visibility to promote conversations around body image, culture, and mental resilience.
Community Involvement Highlights:
- Advocacy for Indigenous youth programs
- Campaigns championing body positivity and mental health
- Fundraising efforts supporting suicide-prevention initiatives
6. Candice Warner (married to cricketer David Warner)
Candice Warner was a professional ironwoman before becoming well-known in cricket circles through her marriage to David Warner. In addition to fitness advocacy, she’s supported initiatives for sick children and for families impacted by sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). She often hosts or participates in charity sports events that channel money toward healthcare-related causes.
Community Involvement Highlights:
- Charitable runs and triathlons benefiting children’s hospitals
- Promotion of infant health awareness and SIDS research
- Regular visits and fundraising work for pediatric units
7. Nadia Bartel (formerly married to AFL player Jimmy Bartel)
Though much media focus on Nadia Bartel centers around her fashion lines, she has also been involved in philanthropic causes. She’s used her social following to help women’s shelters, raise funds for breast cancer research, and support events tied to maternal health. Her former partner, Jimmy Bartel, is known for his work combatting domestic violence, and Nadia frequently contributed to related awareness campaigns.
Community Involvement Highlights:
- Fundraising events benefitting women’s health and DV shelters
- Social media campaigns promoting research for breast cancer
- Co-organizing donation drives supporting families in crisis
8. Rebecca Judd (married to AFL player Chris Judd)
A familiar face on TV and in fashion circles, Rebecca (“Bec”) Judd is also known for her philanthropic endeavors—particularly for children’s health. She’s served as an ambassador for the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne and has frequently contributed her time and platform to events raising funds for pediatric care.
Community Involvement Highlights:
- Ambassador for the Royal Children’s Hospital
- Charity lunches and fashion show fundraisers benefiting children’s healthcare
- Ongoing collaborations with local Melbourne charities
9. Emma Hawkins (married to AFL player Tom Hawkins)
Emma Hawkins has become a fixture in the online parenting community, sharing candid insights about motherhood. Beyond her lifestyle content, she’s participated in multiple campaigns to support disadvantaged children’s services in Victoria. Emma also champions local animal rescue organizations, sometimes fostering dogs and spotlighting adoption drives.
Community Involvement Highlights:
- Children’s charity event support in Geelong and Melbourne
- Promotion of local animal rescues and adoption events
- Social media drives encouraging volunteering in neighborhood charities
10. Tahlia Giumelli (partner of NRL player Tom Burgess)
Tahlia Giumelli is an Australian model and mental health advocate who has publicly shared her experiences with ADHD and anxiety. She partners with organizations that emphasize early intervention and childhood mental health resources, seeking to destigmatize diagnoses and offer families strategies for support.
Community Involvement Highlights:
- Campaigns to raise ADHD awareness and reduce stigma
- Support for youth-focused mental health nonprofits
- Media appearances discussing the importance of early intervention
11. Phoebe Burgess (formerly married to NRL player Sam Burgess)
Phoebe Burgess, previously married to Sam Burgess, is a journalist, influencer, and mother who has used her platform to champion a variety of children’s causes. She has participated in charity events linked to children’s hospitals and youth development, helping to highlight pressing issues around at-risk kids and family support networks.
Community Involvement Highlights:
- Supporter of Sydney-based hospital fundraisers
- Public discussions on parenting issues and postpartum mental health
- Collaborations with children’s literacy and tutoring programs
12. Bonnie Paine (married to cricketer Tim Paine)
Bonnie Paine, wife of former Australian cricket captain Tim Paine, has been part of several grassroots initiatives in Tasmania. She has assisted local organizations focused on sheltering victims of domestic violence, frequently encouraging donations of clothing, toys, and personal items for women and children in crisis.
Community Involvement Highlights:
- Leading local Tasmanian donation drives
- Public appeals for domestic violence crisis centers
- Partnering with local women’s service organizations
13. Danielle Willis (married to AFL player Nick Vlastuin)
Danielle Willis maintains a relatively low profile compared to some on this list, but she has used her social channels to raise awareness for children’s charities in Victoria, particularly around bridging educational gaps. Together with Nick Vlastuin, she has also volunteered at local sporting clinics to encourage youth sports participation and healthy lifestyles.
Community Involvement Highlights:
- Advocacy for youth sports access in underprivileged areas
- Online fundraisers for school supply programs
- Volunteering at grassroots footy clinics
14. Lucy Cornes (married to retired AFL player Kane Cornes)
Lucy Cornes is the founder of a charitable organization that honors their late son, who passed away from a rare form of bone cancer. Through the Hugo Cornes Foundation, Lucy focuses on pediatric cancer research and providing resources for parents who face the hardships of caring for a child with serious illness.
Community Involvement Highlights:
- Establishing the Hugo Cornes Foundation for pediatric cancer
- Providing advocacy and emotional support for families of ill children
- Engaging in legislative efforts to increase funding for children’s oncology
15. Kyly Clarke (formerly married to cricketer Michael Clarke)
Kyly Clarke (née Boldy) is a television presenter, author, and interior designer who has also been committed to philanthropic work. During her time with Michael Clarke, the couple often contributed to sporting clinics for juniors, as well as fundraising events for cancer charities—an area Michael Clarke holds dear in memory of a close friend. Kyly has carried on this advocacy, particularly for breast cancer research.
Community Involvement Highlights:
- Collaborative sporting workshops for kids to foster fitness
- Fundraising dinners and galas supporting cancer research
- Promotion of health and wellness through her lifestyle brand
16. Margaux Parker (married to NRL player Corey Parker)
A radio personality in her own right, Margaux Parker has supported initiatives aimed at community-building in Brisbane, especially for women seeking to return to the workforce after raising children. She often interviews community leaders on her radio segments, giving them a platform to highlight local volunteering and outreach programs.
Community Involvement Highlights:
- Amplifying voices of local nonprofits on her radio shows
- Facilitating workshops for mothers transitioning back to employment
- Donating radio time to highlight free resources for families
17. Kayleigh Swann (partner of AFL player Isaac Heeney)
While Kayleigh Swann keeps a mostly personal profile, she has been spotted volunteering at Ronald McDonald House events in Sydney, supporting families who need housing while their children undergo treatment. She also promotes youth football programs, championing the idea that sports can help children build resilience and self-esteem.
Community Involvement Highlights:
- Volunteering time at children’s hospital-related housing charities
- Pushing for greater accessibility to junior AFL for underprivileged kids
- Low-key donations and personal appearances at local youth events
18. Linda Izzo (married to soccer player Ivan Franjic)
Though soccer WAGs in Australia often attract less tabloid attention than AFL or NRL counterparts, Linda Izzo stands out for her commitment to refugee assistance programs. Coming from a family with migration roots, she volunteers at language and job-skills workshops for newly arrived individuals and families.
Community Involvement Highlights:
- Teaching English to refugee and migrant communities
- Advocating for inclusive soccer clinics and sports scholarships
- Coordinating clothing drives for recently arrived families
19. Megan Gale (partner of former AFL player Shaun Hampson)
Australian supermodel and media personality Megan Gale, engaged to ex-Carlton and Richmond player Shaun Hampson, has often lent her star power to philanthropic events. She has been an ambassador for children’s causes, notably the AIME mentoring program for Indigenous high school students. Beyond that, she’s supported bushfire relief and mental health fundraisers through public appeals and personal donations.
Community Involvement Highlights:
- Ambassador for AIME, aiding Indigenous youth in completing high school
- Publicly supports bushfire relief efforts and volunteer firefighters
- Active in mental health fundraising galas, encouraging open dialogue
20. Tahnee Sims (partner of AFL player Jack Watts)
Tahnee Sims has frequently collaborated with local organizations promoting inclusivity in sports—especially for children with disabilities. She’s appeared in short videos encouraging kids of all abilities to give footy a try, highlighting that a sense of community and teamwork can have transformative effects on confidence and social skills.
Community Involvement Highlights:
- Advocacy for inclusive sports programs
- Social media campaigns celebrating children’s achievements in adapted athletics
- Donations of sporting equipment to local disability support groups
In Closing
Although often seen gracing social pages and fashion spreads, these Australian WAGs exemplify a side of sporting life that goes beyond glamorous events and red carpets. Through fundraising, volunteering, and leveraging their public platforms, they contribute meaningfully to causes they believe in—from children’s hospitals and mental health initiatives to inclusive sports programs and environmental advocacy. By lending a helping hand and shining a spotlight on crucial social issues, they demonstrate that a high profile can indeed be used for high impact.
