Will Ashcroft’s rise in the AFL has been nothing short of inspiring. Behind his success is a strong support system led by his number 1 fan, his Mum, Bekky. From his earliest days kicking a football in the backyard to overcoming setbacks on his journey to the big league, Bekky has been there every step of the way.
A passion ignited early
Will Ashcroft’s journey to the AFL has been years in the making, but for his Mum, Bekky, it all started in their family home. “He was only two years old, but he was already umpiring, playing, and even commentating his own games,” Bekky recalls. “And he never got bored of it. Every day, he’d be asking me to go to the park with him.”
Growing up in a sports-loving family, Will and his siblings were constantly engaged in different games. Backyard footy, cricket and even rugby were staple games in their household. While Will was always naturally talented, Bekky instilled in him the importance of hard work.
“Our family always believed that talent alone isn’t enough. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard,” she says. “And Will understood that from a young age.”
The move that changed everything
At 15, Will and his family made a big move from Queensland to Melbourne. It was a pivotal moment, not just for Will’s development as a footballer, but also as a person. “Moving to Melbourne was a huge challenge,” Bekky explains. “Will was stepping into a new school where most friendships were already formed, and we didn’t have a strong network there yet. It was tough.”
Will acknowledges the challenges of the transition but credits the experience for helping build his resilience. “It forced me to step outside my comfort zone,” he says. “I had to form new relationships, adapt to a different football system and push myself in ways I hadn’t before. But looking back, it was one of the best decisions we made.”
It was in Melbourne that Will fully committed to the AFL, joining the prestigious Sandringham Dragons programme while continuing his education. “He was always balancing school, sport and leadership roles,” Bekky says. “There were times he wasn’t happy about it, but now he’s grateful for the discipline it taught him.”
Setbacks and the strength to overcome them
Despite his success, Will’s journey hasn’t been without setbacks. One of the toughest moments came when he suffered an ACL injury in 2023, which forced him out of the game for months. “It was heartbreaking,” Bekky says. “As a parent, you just want to fix things for your child, but this was something we couldn’t control.”
The road to recovery was long and challenging, but Bekky was by his side every step of the way. “There were some really tough days,” Will admits. “But Mum was there, making sure I stayed on top of everything: my rehab, my mental state, even just making sure I was eating right. She balanced so much between her own work and supporting me.”
Their family dog, Kobe, also played an unexpected role in the recovery. “He wouldn’t leave Will’s side,” Bekky says. “Even when Will probably wanted some space, Kobe was there.”
Will’s hard work and patience paid off when he made his return to the field mid-way through the 2024 season and helped his team win the premiership. “Seeing him out there again was one of my proudest moments,” Bekky says. “Not just because he was playing, but because of everything he’d overcome to get there.”
Game day rituals and sibling rivalries
On game days, Bekky keeps things relaxed. “Will’s always been pretty cool and collected before games,” she says. “If I’m coming to watch, I’ll fly up, we’ll grab coffee, go for a walk and then head to the stadium together. No big superstitions, just keeping it low-key.”
When she’s not at the game, they’ll exchange texts or a quick phone call. “We don’t really talk about footy before the game,” Will says. “It’s more about life, just keeping things normal so I don’t overthink the game.”
While Will and Bekky share a tight bond, there’s also a strong competitive streak in the Ashcroft family, particularly between Will and his younger brother Levi, another emerging AFL talent. “They’re super supportive of each other, but put them on a golf course or in any kind of competition, and it’s a whole different story,” Bekky jokes. “They both want to win badly.”
A relentless drive for more
Despite already achieving so much in his young career, Will is far from satisfied. “He’s always been a doer,” Bekky says. “He never sits still. His mind is always active. He's always been someone who picks the brains of people that he admires and seeks to be like.”
Will credits his Mum for keeping him grounded. “She’s my number 1 supporter, but also my toughest critic,” he says. “She tells me what I need to hear, not just what I want to hear. And I appreciate that more than anything.”
As for Bekky, she knows that no matter what happens in Will’s career, her support for him will never waver. “I’ll always be proud of him, not just for what he does on the field, but for the person he is,” she says. “That’s what makes me his number 1 fan.”
