Sport
22 March, 2023
Taking her game to the next level
Despite only taking up the game a few years ago, Chelsea Middleton is on her way to a blossoming rugby league journey, having been selected for the Under 19s Western Clydesdales Girls side.
The year 11 Clifton State High School student said she is “pretty excited” to be playing in the statewide competition, which includes well-known sides from Brisbane such as the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and Brisbane Tigers as well as teams from as far away as the Townsville Blackhawks and Northern Pride, based in Cairns.
Chelsea said it was a “bit of a shock” to be selected for the Clydesdales this season, as she has been overlooked for representative teams in the past.
She first started playing rugby league in under 12s in 2018, which Chelsea said which a change of pace for her.
“I used to be a dancer. I thought I’d try something new, give it a go,” she said.
Since making the switch, she has not looked back.
As Wattles did not have a girls’ team at the time, she played for Brothers in Toowoomba, the club she still plays for today.
She was inspired to play by her older brother Braeden, who played for Wattles junior sides for many years.
Rugby league offers some positive attributes that Chelsea really appreciates.
“I love the aggression.
“The team is like a family,” she said.
Despite rugby league still not being as popular for girls as it is for boys (none of Chelsea’s friends at school play it), Chelsea did play in the Karyn Murphy Cup, a school competition.
The step up to training and playing for the Western Clydesdales has been a big one for Chelsea, who said the experience thus far has been a lot harder and intense.
She has enjoyed the challenge - “it’s what I needed,” she said.
As a 16-year-old, Chelsea is one of the youngest in the side and the wider under 19s competition, coming up against some much larger and more physically imposing opponents.
In addition to football and athletic skills such as foot work, running hard and teamwork, rugby league has taught Chelsea some life skills as well.
“I’ve learnt to follow instructions, take criticism and put it into my next performance.
“I’ve learnt to be a graceful winner... and loser.”
It can be a handful for Chelsea, and her mother Teena, to juggle all her rugby league training and matches, as well as other sporting pursuits - athletics and horse-riding, a part-time job and school work.
She trains for Brothers twice a week, the Clydesdales three times a week and the Darling Downs School Sport side once a month.
On top of that, there are match days, which can include a fair amount of travel, and refereeing gigs for Brothers.
Chelsea likens her playing style to premiership-winning former Bronco and current Newcastle Knights captain Millie Boyle.
Her favourite players to watch in the men’s competition are Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga and in the women’s Jada Ferguson and Ali Brigginshaw.
The Western Clydesdales under 19 girls’ side has
won two of its first four matches and currently is in fifth place of 15 teams on the ladder.
Chelsea has played in the starting side for all four matches as either lock or prop.
