Kimbaley Kershaw and Nakia Davis-Welsh are set to make rugby league history when they step onto the field to represent the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL Club’s inaugural women’s side.
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The Rabbitohs recently announced they will enter a women’s team into the NSWRL’s Harvey Norman Premiership competition and the two Kempsey born players have been selected into the squad of 25 after an extensive trial process.
It’s the first time in the Rabbitohs’ 110-year history that they will be represented in a women’s competition.
Kershaw’s selection into the South Sydney squad fulfills a dream she never thought would be a reality.
“It immediately became my goal to be picked after hearing the plans for a Rabbitohs team in November last year, my motivation skyrocketed, I couldn’t believe I would have a chance to play for an NRL club,” Kershaw told the Argus.
“I am definitely proud, it really is a dream come true.”
Kershaw’s feat to be picked into the Rabbitohs squad is made more remarkable after a 16-year hiatus from competitive rugby league.
The 29-year-old always wanted to be involved in the sport, but the Kempsey Dragons junior was unable to play at a competitive level after the age of 13 due to a lack of junior rugby league pathways for girls in country regions.
A move to Sydney two years ago opened the door for an opportunity to return to the game she loves.
“I had a few people messaging and calling me saying to play and I thought I’d give it a shot,” Kershaw said.
The forward’s decision to play for the Redfern All Blacks paid off as her and teammate Davis-Welsh led the side to a premiership last year in the NSWRL’s Harvey Norman Premiership competition.
The two will team up again for the Rabbitohs side as they search for back-to-back titles.
Davis-Welsh’s selection for the Rabbitohs comes as no surprise after the fullback starred for the Jillaroos in their successful Rugby League World Cup campaign last year.
The 21-year-old made her debut for the Australia in the competition opener and started at fullback in the 23-16 world cup final victory.
Kershaw has set her sights on another massive goal for 2018, to earn selection into a team for the inaugural women’s competition associated with the NRL to start later this year.
Kershaw views the upcoming season for the Rabbitohs as a stepping stone into the landmark women’s round-robin tournament.
However, Kershaw has suffered a disrupted pre-season as a hamstring and hip flexor injury has kept her sidelined for the last six weeks.
The impact player is hoping to return to full training this week but admits it will take time to return to full fitness.
