When Singleton’s Rachael Ella and Abbey Kelley were just enjoying the game of rugby union, taking every opportunity to step onto the field, they never hoped they would be selected for a tour of a lifetime and they can’t wait.
The girls will head to the United States in April for training sessions and games and will face the likes of San Diego XV when their game is the curtain raiser to the Major League Rugby clash between the San Diego Legion New England Freejacks .
They will play seven a side games against Belmont Shores and will also play against an LA Invitational XV.
The trip allows for plenty of sight seeing and while this is exciting, it is all about the union for Rachael and Abbey.
Abbey was selected in the side ahead of the NSW Development Competition at Bathurst and Rachael caught the eye of selectors a this competition.
Both have played rugby through the Singleton Bulls Junior Development program and originally stepped onto the field alongside their male counterparts, both joining the womens competition in the under 13s.
Abbey was inspired to take up the sport after watching some video footage of her father, Chris, playing and thought it was a sport she would like to play.
The pair have played 11s, 12s and 13s but then joined the women’s format and both girls say it was all about getting enough players on the field.
“Lots of times we were worried we wouldn’t get the players, we were always asking our friends to come along and play,” Abbey laughed.
As the sport is growing in popularity amongst women, both are feeling confident for a many more years running onto the union field.
Anyone who would like to support the girls on their dream journey can contact Abbey’s father Chris Kelley at ch************@*****nd.com
There are currently vacancies in the womens teams from Under 13s, 15s and 17s and the opens and people wanting to know more should email Singleton Rugby Club.
