With a degree in civil engineering under her belt, new GIANT Sarah Halvorsen is a force to be reckoned with.

Halvorsen is part of a niche group of people that have broken into not one but two traditionally male-dominated industries simultaneously.

The young GIANT hopes that with women beginning to break into more industries – which she admits is “awesome" – she will have a chance to inspire and become a role model for girls wanting to work in more male-dominated roles.

"We need more engineers and more footy players and more women doing amazing things, and if I could inspire someone to do that, that would be awesome," she said.

Halvorsen’s football journey started long before she began playing herself. Admitting that while it was mostly her dad following and watching the sport growing up, “the whole family is into it”.

Halvorsen grew a love for the game thanks in part to her dad, a former football player. "It's pretty cool, he doesn't talk much about it, but he was a good player."

Her relationship with her role model, her dad, has only made her next career milestone of joining the GIANTS that much more symbolic.

"Growing up, we used to kick the footy around heaps and it's pretty special to be able to share that with him,” she said.

“We are pretty close, pretty good mates."

Halvorsen started playing Women's football three years ago for her local team in Newcastle.

However, it wasn't until she got a taste of playing for the GIANTS during the 2019 VFL Women's season that she took taking the next step seriously.

"It did make me want it more, and it gave me extra drive to get to this point," she said.

Watching the 2019 NAB AFLW Draft from her computer, with the support of her "really excited family", Halvorsen recounts the experience as being surreal.

"I got butterflies and was excited because you don't really expect that ever to happen, it's pretty crazy," she said.

"I never really expected to be able to play AFLW this year and I just never thought it would be this good."

Coming to the GIANTS has been an extremely positive experience for the young forward. "I think they are the best club around" she laughs.

"I got my chance, and I'm pretty happy that I got my chance here."

Halvorsen brings a new wave of "calmness" to the team, self-described as relaxed and easy-going, the recruit admits that while the first couple of training sessions where "pretty intimidating" her teammates’ professionalism and support brought everyone together.

"I'm more comfortable that I belong here now. All the new girls feel like they fit in straight away," she said.

The new GIANT is focused on "soaking up the opportunity" by learning from the experienced girls and coaches.

"I want to be training as hard as I can," she said.

"Doing extras when I can and getting tips off the girls. If you ask for help, they are always there."

For Halvorsen, this support is paramount to succeeding.

Studying to become a civil engineer while training as an AFLW player has required discipline and structure. Being able to rely not only on her support network at home but at the club has made the process of balance a lot easier: "It never seemed impossible”.

Conscious of the "rare opportunity" she has been presented, Halvorsen’s 2020 goal is to "take the opportunities when they come up and give it a good crack".