BRISBANE, Australia – When whānau speak about perseverance, grit, and determination, they could easily be describing 15-year-old footballer Alexis Ritchie (Ngāi Tahu).
Today, Alexis represents Queensland at state level and strides confidently through the pathways of the women’s game in Australia, yet her journey began with challenges that would test even the strongest adult.
In 2014, at just four years old, Alexis became critically unwell after contracting E. coli 0157, a serious bacterial infection that led to kidney failure and Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome.
She was flown from Christchurch Hospital to Starship Hospital and placed on dialysis for five long weeks.
Her mother, Leigh, recalls those days clearly, days filled with uncertainty, hope, and resilience.
“We always knew she was determined,” she shared. “We saw how hard she fought.”
Though Alexis eventually recovered, she sustained kidney damage and continues to be under specialist care.
Despite the setbacks, football was waiting.
In 2015, only a year after her illness, Alexis laced up her boots for the first time, playing Fun Football for Selwyn United in Canterbury which was the beginning of a new chapter.
Just before she turned nine, the Ritchie whānau relocated from Aotearoa to Queensland. There, Alexis continued to flourish.
Football became both a passion and a pathway, taking her into the elite youth environment of the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) and most recently the Queensland State Team (QST).
In 2025, Alexis was selected to represent Queensland at the Emerging Matildas Tournament as part of the Under-15 State Team which was a significant achievement on the road to higher honours in the women’s game.
Assistance from Ngāi Tahu helped make the opportunity possible, enabling her to showcase her talent among some of Australia’s brightest young players.
Highlights from the tournament include goals, skill displays, and decisive contributions on the pitch, growing evidence of a young Māori football player with both hunger and promise.
At 15, Alexis stands as a powerful example of whai wāhi; a footballer taking opportunities, overcoming adversity, and carrying her whakapapa proudly through sport. Her journey speaks not only to her own determination but also to the aroha and support of whānau who have travelled with her every step of the way.
Māori Football Aotearoa acknowledges Alexis’s achievements, her Ngāi Tahu heritage, and the strength shown by the entire Ritchie whānau. Stories like hers reflect the breadth of Māori talent across the globe and the unique ways that football can nurture identity, confidence, and community.
We thank Alexis and her whānau for sharing their story and wish her every success as she continues to pursue the game she loves.
Alexis’s quote “Being Māori is something I’m really proud of, and football helps me express that pride.”
John and Leigh said: “We’ve always spoken about how important football is for Alexis, not just for her happiness but for her health as well. She’s continued to maintain her kidney function, and we truly believe playing football has played a big role in keeping her fit and healthy.”
Ends
Story as told by Leigh Ford to MFA Media
Image courtesy Leigh Ford
