Brumbies newcomer Ella Ryan is embracing her first season with the Brumbies Super W side, steering them to a now postponed playoff against the Queensland Reds.
The number 10 is just 17-years-old and is still completing year 12 at St Clare’s College in Griffith while enjoying her maiden Super W season, steering the side to another finals appearance.
The young playmaker is part of the Brumbies Academy and was also in the National Youth Sevens side who won in New Zealand last year and admits it’s been tough juggling her school and rugby commitments.
“I go to the gym in the morning, to school and back to field in the afternoon which is pretty tough but a lot of the girls have to work, and they have got a lot of heavy loads at work,” Ryan said.
“We are talking to other girls about it’s been and seeing how they’re going. It really helps talking about it and school is really helpful with my travel commitments and my sporting commitments.”
“I think school’s always a release from sport and sport is a release from school, so, when I am struggling from stress with school work, I always seem to get a rugby ball in my hands and throw around and same with school if I am struggling with rugby commitments, then school assignments can sometimes help.”
A sports fan ever since a young girl, Ryan is aware she is paving the way for the stars of tomorrow much like those before her.
“A few girls come up to me and thank me for playing that role as a role model to them which is really empowering for me and a lot of younger girls coming up in the ranks of wanting to play sports at this level,” Ryan said.
“All the older girls and younger girls I have moved up with, have really help me transform me into the player I am and have welcomed me into the team”.
The side’s playoff against the Queensland Reds has been postponed due to COVID-19 and is scheduled to now be played in May.
Words by Thomas Spencer.
