It's lucky Tommaya Kelly-Sines signed for the Canberra Raiders. Otherwise it could've made for some awkward days at work with Katrina Fanning.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
As a proud Indigenous rugby league player, Kelly-Sines looked up to Fanning, who was a trailblazer in the women's game.
Fannings also on the Raiders board and has been a driving force behind the club preparing for its inaugural NRLW season.
Kelly-Sines was one of three signings the Green Machine announced on Wednesday, with Chante Temara and Felice Quinlan also joining the club.
The latter two will both join their sisters Zahara and Ash respectively, helping quickly turn the Raiders into the family club.
Prop Kelly-Sines scored the match-winning try in last year's NRLW All Stars game against the Maoris.
She played for Parramatta in their inaugural NRLW season in 2021 and was part of the NSW City squad that won the 2019 women's national championships, having switched over from netball.
Kelly-Sines was grateful for the path people like Fanning had blazed.
It's not just the present she'll be playing for, but the past and the future as well.
"I know Katrina really well. Just being able to be playing at such a high level, which they didn't have that opportunity, that's very motivating for myself," Kelly-Sines said.
"I'm not playing for the present - I'm playing for the past and future ahead, which I'm really excited for.
"I look up to [Katrina] because I work with her as well, which is really exciting."
Temara's signing comes after her sister and Jillaroo Zehara's.
She was part of the Brisbane Broncos squad that won the 2020 NRLW premiership before spending the past two seasons with the Sydney Roosters.
The 21-year-old was part of the inaugural Queensland under-18s to play against NSW in 2019 and was in the Maroons' wider squad for last year's State of Origin match at Canberra Stadium.
In contrast, it's centre Quinlan's first NRLW contract, having played for the Burleigh Bears in the QRL Premiership.
The club has also signed Mackenzie Wiki - the daughter of club legend Ruben Wiki.
Kelly-Sines showed she was already part of the Raiders family - helping out at the club's members day at Raiders HQ on Wednesday, before driving back up the Hume Highway to be part of the Mounties' semi-finals campaign.
"That's something us girls are looking forward too - building a family here," she said.
"I think that's really cool for them to have that [playing with their sisters]. Being at such a professional level and still have that is really cool for them."
MORE RAIDERS NEWS
The Raiders might be one of four new kids on the block when they join the competition this year, with the 2023 NRLW season to kick off on July 22, but that doesn't mean their expectations were low.
"For us expectations are going out there and doing our best," Kelly-Sines said.
"We do want that premiership obviously. Being the first team as well we have a little bit of pressure, but that's what makes us - is that pressure.
"I'm looking forward to it and just because we're a new team it doesn't mean we're not a force to be reckoned with."
NRL ROUND NINE
April 29: Canberra Raiders v Redcliffe Dolphins at Wagga Wagga, 3pm.
We've made it a whole lot easier for you to have your say. Our new comment platform requires only one log-in to access articles and to join the discussion on The Canberra Times website. Find out how to register so you can enjoy civil, friendly and engaging discussions. See our moderation policy here.
David Polkinghorne
Covering the Raiders, Cavalry, cycling and racing, plus everything else that involves sport in the ACT, for The Canberra Times. Basically I love sport and watching it is a full-time job. Email: david.polkinghorne@canberratimes.com.au
Covering the Raiders, Cavalry, cycling and racing, plus everything else that involves sport in the ACT, for The Canberra Times. Basically I love sport and watching it is a full-time job. Email: david.polkinghorne@canberratimes.com.au
