Sportlight: Rugby League.
Billie wants to shine the ‘sportlight’ on the incredible sportswomen - of all levels and disciplines - that we have around Aotearoa.
We hope that by sharing the love these amazing wahine have for their sports, you might be able to discover a love for them yourself.
This week we chat to Rugby League star, Abigail Roache who represented the New Zealand Kiwi Ferns at recent Pacific Championships, where the Kiwi Ferns finished the competition by beating Australia, ending the Jillaroo’s 7-year winning streak.
Abigail plays professional rugby league in the NRLW Premiership in Australia (Australia’s national rugby league competition), playing for the Newcastle Knights who won the 2023 NRLW final.
How did you get involved in rugby league?
I grew up watching my older brothers play so I was always surrounded by footy, and I think it was them and my Dad who sparked my passion for Rugby League.
How many years have you been involved?
I played Rugby Union in high school but had a few inconsistent years from 16 years old to about 21 years old due to injuries, but I made the move to rugby league at the end of 2021.
What made you want to keep pursuing it?
It sounds simple but I couldn’t stay away. After my 4th knee surgery, I was pretty set on focusing on study and giving up on the dream of becoming a professional athlete and wearing the black jersey. It just so happened that on my “year off” I got asked to give rugby league a go and play some club footy - I was a little bit nervous to get back into sport but thought ‘oh well let’s just give it a go and play for fun’. From there I couldn’t help but get competitive and strive for more, leading me to where I am today and being blessed with some pretty extraordinary opportunities along the way.
How accessible is rugby league in New Zealand?
It’s definitely growing and there’s a lot more opportunities now than ever before. However, Australia is so well resourced so professional pathways are more accessible over there.
What kind of costs are involved in taking part?
In my experience I had to pay minimal to no fees for club as we had amazing sponsors for both my time at the Howick Hornets and Richmond Roses clubs in Auckland.
What kind of equipment is needed to take part?
A Rugby league field and a footy.
What’s the most enjoyable part for you?
The lifelong friends you create throughout your journey.
What is the community like in rugby league?
The support from the Rugby League community in Newcastle, where I play for the Newcastle Knights, has been the best I’ve personally ever experienced in women’s sport. The crowds we would get for our home games exceeded my expectations.
What kind of skills do you learn (i.e balance, flexibility)?
I believe the most important skills you learn from rugby league and sport in general are perseverance, resilience and self-belief.
What do you love the most about rugby league?
I love being able to push myself beyond what I believe I can and overcoming the toughest challenges alongside my team mates who I get to call sisters.
What’s the hardest part?
In my experience it’s injuries - season ending injuries or even injuries in general are probably the toughest challenges an athlete has to overcome. It’s a time where what you love the most is taken away from you but I think the most important lesson I’ve learned from injuries is that your identity doesn’t just lie in the sport you play.
What has been your greatest achievement?
Winning the NRLW premiership and representing NZ.
How would you like to see your sport evolve?
I would like to see even more pathways for young people and exposure of the game to young women.
Who is your biggest inspiration in your sport?
My brothers are my inspiration. My older brother Paul also plays league and he made his debut for the Kiwis A team at the Pacific Championships, so we were able to share this experience together at Eden Park, which was really special. Although there was a little touch of sibling rivalry in who could score the most tries!
What goals do you have for your next sporting season?
To continue to learn and develop both on and off the field. I want to continue dominating in my position.
