Home

NRLW 2022: Dean Widders wowed by ‘amazing’ sevens convert

Martin GaborNCA NewsWire
Parramatta Eels players at the 2022 NRLW season launch. Supplied
Camera IconParramatta Eels players at the 2022 NRLW season launch. Supplied Credit: Supplied

Gayle Broughton has seen her former rugby sevens rivals come across and dominate the NRLW, but for her, the decision to join the Parramatta Eels was personal.

Her sevens CV is as good as it gets. Broughton won gold medals for New Zealand at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, she won six World Rugby Sevens series titles and scored a staggering 315 points in 112 World Series games.

But instead of chasing more silverware across the world, she’s decided to take on the likes of Emma Tonegato and Evania Pelite as the Eels chase a finals spot after missing out in brutal circumstances last season.

“They are two phenomenal athletes. Seeing what they did last season was absolutely amazing, but I’m not surprised because they’re top guns,” Broughton told NCA NewsWire.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“Two big moments stand out for me. Evania ran over me and Em ran around me, so I’m going to have to pick up the speed and get my revenge.”

The chance to get some revenge was just the cherry on top for Broughton, who has dreamt of playing league since she was running out for the Hawera Hawks.

“For me, coming to league was quite personal,” she said.

“I grew up with rugby league, so I didn’t play much rugby when I was younger. Coming over to Australia and making the big move was always on the cards because it’s been a dream of mine since I was 12.

“When I think of why I’m here, I think back to that 12-year-old kid that had to play rugby league with the boys and got beat up here and there.

“I didn’t have any footy heroes. My brothers were my heroes. Some of the things my brothers could do was incredible. I was in awe of what they did.

“It was amazing to play rugby in that famous black jersey for 10 years. I achieved so many things, created so many memories, travelled the world and got to play footy with my best mates.

“Fast forward 10 years, I’m now in beautiful western Sydney with the chance to represent the Parramatta Eels.

“I needed a bit of change because you do it for so long. I’ll never lose my love for sevens and it will always be a massive part of my life, but for me, I’d achieved Olympics, Commonwealth Games, World Cup and the World Series.

“For me, it was a case of what the next challenge could be. When that happened, my mind went straight to rugby league.”

Broughton’s sevens career started when she was 16 and she has dominated all over the world.

She now looms as Parramatta’s most important signing as she looks to fill the big boots of fullback Bo Vette-Welsh, who will miss the season after she tore her ACL in the final game of the last NRLW season.

Dean Widders sees something special in his new star. Supplied
Camera IconDean Widders sees something special in his new star. Supplied Credit: Supplied

“I remember the first time I met with her and sat with her,” Parramatta coach Dean Widders said at the team’s season launch.

“She would have had a lot of interest from all the other NRLW clubs, but I didn’t go there to talk any footy with her. We just spoke about her personality, her cultural background, what drives her and what her goals are.

“I remember leaving the meeting and I told her that I couldn’t wait to see her play in the NRLW and that I hoped it was in a Parra jersey.

“Thankfully, she chose us and I’ve been so impressed with everything I’ve seen from her so far. She’s an amazing person and I’m glad we’ve got her at the Eels.”

The dynamic runner has already shown signs that she has what it takes to be an NRLW star, with six tries for Mounties in the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership, including a double against eventual premiers the Wests Tigers.

She now wants to do her family proud and believes western Sydney is the perfect place to make that happen.

“I’m from a small town, grew up with the bare minimum and came from nothing just to make myself into who I am today,” she said.

“For me, that’s also western Sydney.

“It’s an amazing area of people who came from the same struggles and had absolute raw talent and wanted it that extra bit more. It was a no-brainer for me.

“I’ve already put in a request to get extra tickets for my family. I’m sure I’ll have to suss out something, so maybe I can get a few extra tickets if I score a couple of tries.

“My support system is so massive to me, and I’m so grateful for the people I have in New Zealand and my family here. They’ll probably fill out this stadium.

“It’s a massive honour to be a part of this franchise and hopefully we can make some memories.”

 

 

 

 

Originally published as NRLW 2022: Dean Widders wowed by ‘amazing’ sevens convert

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails