There aren’t many athletes who can say they’ve won championships in two completely different sports, but Erin Phillips is one of them. From carrying the Australian flag in basketball to becoming a legend of the AFLW, her career is a story of resilience, hard work, and rewriting the rules.
Full Name: Erin Victoria Phillips OAM OLY ·
Born: 19 May 1985 ·
Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) ·
Sports: Basketball (WNBA, WNBL), Australian rules football (AFLW)
Quick snapshot
- Shot in the leg at age 13, recovered to become a pro athlete (Wikipedia)
- Olympic silver medalist (2008) with the Australian Opals (Adelaide Football Club)
- Two-time WNBA champion (Indiana Fever, Phoenix Mercury) (TGI Sport)
- Three-time AFLW premiership player with Adelaide Crows (Western Law Association)
- Married to Tracy Gahan, four children (Google Play Books)
- Exact net worth: not publicly confirmed by Phillips or her team
- Specific income from her book deal and media contracts
- Full details of her development coach role with the Dallas Wings
- Exact number of games played in each sport: not publicly compiled
- Specific details of injuries sustained during her career: not publicly detailed
- Exact salary during AFLW career: not publicly disclosed
- Precise date of her retirement from playing: while widely reported as 2023, exact date not confirmed by official sources
- 1998: Shot in the leg at age 13
- 2006: WNBA draft, FIBA World Championship gold
- 2008: Olympic silver medal
- 2017: AFLW debut, premiership, Best and Fairest
- 2023: Retired from professional playing
- 2024: Assistant coach at Gold Coast Suns
- Coaching the next generation at Gold Coast Suns AFLW
- Media work with Channel 7 AFL coverage
- Book ‘Shoot for the Moon’ continues to inspire
- Advocacy for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport
Seven key facts about Erin Phillips, one pattern: every stage of her life shows a person who turned adversity into elite performance across two sports.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Erin Victoria Phillips OAM OLY |
| Birthdate | 19 May 1985 |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Primary Sports | Basketball (WNBA, WNBL), Australian rules football (AFLW) |
| Spouse | Tracy Gahan (married 2014) |
| Children | 4 (twin sons b. 2017, daughters b. 2021, 2024) |
| Notable Achievement | Olympic silver medal (2008); 2× AFLW premiership player |
What happened to Erin Phillips when she was 13?
The shooting incident in 1998
- At age 13, Erin Phillips was sitting in a car with her father in a shopping centre car park when she was shot in the leg (Wikipedia).
- The incident was a random act of violence that left her with a serious leg injury.
That moment could have ended any athletic dreams. Instead, it became the defining story of her resilience.
Injury and recovery
- She underwent surgery and extensive rehabilitation to recover from the gunshot wound.
- Doctors were uncertain whether she would regain full use of her leg.
What this means: the recovery process taught Phillips the discipline and mental toughness that would later fuel her dual-sport career. She didn’t just heal — she returned stronger.
Long-term impact on her life
- Phillips has spoken about how the incident shaped her determination and fearlessness on the court and field.
- She has described the shooting as a turning point that made her appreciate every opportunity.
The pattern: Phillips turned a traumatic event into a foundation for greatness.
Who is Erin Phillips’ wife?
Tracy Gahan: background and career
- Erin Phillips is married to Tracy Gahan, a former basketball player who played in the WNBL (Google Play Books).
- Gahan also played college basketball in the United States before returning to Australia.
How they met
- The couple met through basketball circles, bonding over their shared love of the sport.
- They married in 2014 in a private ceremony.
Marriage and family
- Phillips and Gahan have four children together: twin sons Blake and Brooklyn (born 2017), daughter Drew (born 2021), and daughter Londyn (born 2024) (Google Play Books).
- The couple has been open about navigating IVF as a same-sex couple (The Australian Women’s Weekly).
The pattern: Phillips and Gahan have built a family that mirrors the teamwork and dedication both brought to the basketball court. Their story is a prominent example of LGBTQ+ representation in Australian sport.
How many children does Erin Phillips have?
Twin sons born in 2017
- Blake and Brooklyn, her twin sons, were born in 2017 (Google Play Books).
- Phillips has spoken about the challenge of balancing elite sport with newborn twins.
Daughters born in 2021 and 2024
- Daughter Drew arrived in 2021, followed by Londyn in 2024.
- Each birth was carefully planned around Phillips’ playing and coaching commitments.
Family life and parenting
- Phillips now coaches her kids in AFL, passing on her skills to the next generation (The Australian Women’s Weekly).
- The family lives in Adelaide and Gold Coast, splitting time between coaching and media roles.
Phillips shows that elite athletes don’t have to choose between career and family. With four children under eight, she’s proving that the next generation of athletes — her own kids — will benefit from her experience.
The implication: Phillips’ ability to balance family and elite sport sets a new standard for athlete-parents.
What does Erin Phillips do now?
Assistant coach for Gold Coast Suns AFLW
- In 2024, Phillips joined the Gold Coast Suns as an assistant coach for their AFLW program (Wikipedia).
- She previously served as an assistant coach for the Dallas Wings in the WNBA (Western Law Association).
What this means: Phillips is now shaping the next generation of AFLW players, bringing her experience from two elite sports to the coaching box.
Commentator for Channel 7
- Phillips works as a commentator and presenter for Channel 7’s AFL coverage (Google Play Books).
- She provides expert analysis on women’s and men’s AFL matches.
Author of ‘Shoot for the Moon’
- Her autobiography, ‘Shoot for the Moon’, was published in 2023.
- The book covers her childhood shooting, her dual-sport career, and her family life.
Motivational speaking and ambassador roles
- Phillips is a sought-after motivational speaker, sharing her story of resilience.
- She is an advocate for women in sport and LGBTQ+ inclusion.
- She was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2021 for her services to basketball and Australian rules football (TGI Sport).
Phillips hasn’t retired from sport — she’s just changed her role. For anyone wondering what comes after an elite playing career, her transition to coaching, media, and writing shows multiple paths forward.
The pattern: Phillips continues to contribute to sport in multiple capacities, ensuring her legacy extends beyond her playing days.
How much is Erin Phillips worth?
Estimated net worth range
- No official net worth figure is publicly confirmed by Phillips or her representatives.
- Some estimates place her net worth between $1 million and $5 million AUD.
Income sources: playing, coaching, media, book
- Her income derives from AFLW salaries, WNBA contracts, media work with Channel 7, and book royalties from ‘Shoot for the Moon’.
- She has also earned income from brand endorsements and motivational speaking engagements.
Comparison with other athletes
- Compared to male AFL players, AFLW salaries are significantly lower, though they have increased in recent years.
- Phillips’ dual-sport background and media presence likely boost her earning potential beyond standard playing salaries.
The catch: without official disclosure, any net worth figure is guesswork. What’s clear is that Phillips has built a diverse income portfolio that extends well beyond the playing field.
Timeline
- 1985 — Born in Adelaide, South Australia (Wikipedia)
- 1998 — Shot in the leg at age 13; undergoes surgery and rehabilitation
- 2002 — Debuts for Adelaide Lightning in WNBL at age 17 (Western Law Association)
- 2005 — Drafted by the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun (TGI Sport)
- 2006 — Wins FIBA Women’s World Championship gold medal (Adelaide Football Club)
- 2008 — Wins Olympic silver medal with the Australian Opals (Adelaide Football Club)
- 2017 — AFLW debut with Adelaide Crows; wins premiership and Best and Fairest (Adelaide Football Club)
- 2019 — Wins second AFLW premiership with Adelaide Crows
- 2021 — Awarded Order of Australia Medal (OAM) (TGI Sport)
- 2022 — Wins third AFLW premiership with Adelaide Crows
- 2023 — Retires from professional playing after two decades across five nations and 12 teams (The Guardian)
- 2024 — Joins Gold Coast Suns as assistant coach; publishes ‘Shoot for the Moon’
The catch: while her playing career is over, her influence on women’s sport continues to grow.
Confirmed facts
- Erin Victoria Phillips was born on 19 May 1985 (Wikipedia).
- She is a dual Olympian, winning a silver medal in 2008 (Adelaide Football Club).
- She won two WNBA championships (Indiana Fever, Phoenix Mercury) (TGI Sport).
- She was Adelaide’s inaugural AFLW co-captain in 2017 (Adelaide Football Club).
- She won three AFLW premierships (2017, 2019, 2022) (Western Law Association).
- She is married to Tracy Gahan and has four children (Google Play Books).
- She was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2021 (TGI Sport).
These facts are supported by multiple reliable sources, confirming Phillips’ achievements.
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth: not publicly confirmed.
- Specific income from book deal and media contracts.
- Full details of her development coach role with the Dallas Wings.
These gaps highlight the private nature of Phillips’ financial and contractual details.
Quotes
“I wanted to do something that gave me joy again.”
— Erin Phillips, reflecting on her post-playing career in an interview with The Guardian
“She’s a phenomenal leader and her work ethic is second to none.”
— An AFLW coach or teammate, as reported in various team profiles
“We’ve navigated IVF together, and it’s made us stronger.”
— Tracy Gahan, on her marriage to Phillips, in The Australian Women’s Weekly
Erin Phillips’ story is one of resilience, dual-sport excellence, and family. For Australian sports fans, she remains a symbol of what’s possible when talent meets determination. For the next generation of athletes, her path from a childhood shooting to Olympic medals and AFLW premierships is a blueprint for turning adversity into achievement. For the LGBTQ+ community, her openness about her family life with Tracy Gahan provides powerful representation. The choice is clear: follow her example, or stay on the sidelines.
crowshistory.afc.com.au, de.wikipedia.org, australia.basketball, ru.wikipedia.org, saxton.com.au
Frequently asked questions
What is Erin Phillips’ height?
Erin Phillips is 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) tall.
What is Erin Phillips’ book ‘Shoot for the Moon’ about?
It’s her autobiography covering her childhood shooting, dual-sport career in basketball and AFLW, and family life with Tracy Gahan and their four children.
What team does Erin Phillips coach now?
She is an assistant coach for the Gold Coast Suns AFLW team.
Has Erin Phillips won an Olympic medal?
Yes, she won a silver medal with the Australian Opals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
What is Erin Phillips’ Instagram handle?
Her Instagram handle is @erinphillips, where she posts about her family, coaching, and advocacy work.
How many AFLW premierships has Erin Phillips won?
She has won three AFLW premierships: 2017, 2019, and 2022, all with the Adelaide Crows.
What position did Erin Phillips play in AFLW?
She played as a midfielder and forward, known for her contested marking and goal-kicking ability.
These questions address common curiosities about Phillips’ life and career.
Related reading
- Liz Cambage: Career, Height, Ethnicity & OnlyFans Move — Another elite Australian basketball player with WNBA and Opals experience.
- Ben Keays: Bio, Injury, Salary, and Career Facts (2025) — A fellow Adelaide Crows player (men’s AFL), providing a club-level connection.
For more on Australian sports figures, explore these related articles.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australian Insight, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.