Tiny football schoolgirl Waiaria Ellis makes Super W rugby history with Waratahs debut at 16

She’s the daughter of an NRL gun who has also played the game but right now this teen footy sensation is trying her hand at rugby - and creating history as she goes.

Schoolgirl Waiaria Ellis of the Waratahs played in the opening round of the Super Rugby women's comp against the ACT Brumbies at Allianz Stadium on March 16. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

She’s the daughter of an NRL gun and the sister of an NRLW player but right now this schoolgirl football sensation is trying her hand at rugby and has already created some super history.

You would be hard pressed to find a wardrobe with more footy jerseys in it than at Waiaria Ellis’ house in Sydney’s west.

There’s jerseys from the Blacktown Scorpions, Hills Hornets, Parramatta Eels, Toongabbie Tigers, junior City and Country rugby battles, Parramatta Two Blues, OzTag, an Australian school girls sevens side and multiple state teams.

But taking pride of place right now is the sky blue of the NSW Waratahs.

Ellis, who goes by the nickname Bubba, took the field off the bench for the Waratahs in the Super Rugby season opener against the ACT Brumbies in March to equal the record as the youngest Waratahs player ever to debut for the NSW club.

Waiaria Ellis and Leilani Nathan celebrate the round one victory.

Waiaria playing for the Toongabbie Tigers under 10s.

Originally it was believed Ellis had the record by a day until someone remembered 2024 is leap year and instead she now shares it with teammate and old rugby sevens mate Caitlyn Halse.

The pair both ran out for their debuts at the age of 16 years, six months and six days.

This eclipses the previous record of Ella Koster who was 16 years, seven months and 28 days when she debuted in the Blue back in 2022.

It was also a winning debut with the Waratahs pounding the Brumbies 45-10 in a match where Maya Stewart scored three, Piper Duck two and Georgina Friedrichs and Tatum Bird one each.

Arabella McKenzie nailed five of her seven attempts with Sally Fuesaina scoring their only try and Faitala Moleka converting it and a penalty goal.

(From left) Waiaria Ellis and mates at Toongabbie Tigers.

Waiaria playing in the NSW Maori v Samoa rugby match.

Ellis, who lives at Grantham Farm, attends Castle Hill High and grew up playing rugby union and rugby league, has already proved her worth to the Tahs by scoring a try in her first trial match.

“I just love it. I love playing football. It makes me proud to walk out on a field wearing a jersey and I always feel like my hard work gets me some rewards,’’ Ellis said.

“I’m just grateful to be there. I smile a lot because I’m so proud of my teammate and my girls.’’

The teens father Ben Ellis was a former junior Kiwi and played for the North Sydney Bears before joining the St George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL.

Sister Rugby Jean Kennard is with Parramatta in NRLW.

Waiaria Ellis after her first game.

NSW Waiaria Ellis scoring one of her many tries at the Australian schools rugby championships. Picture: Julian Andrews

Ellis is also a head-turning sevens player who said she dreams of playing for Australia at an Olympics.

“I grew up playing with the boys but they never gave me any drama because I was a girl,’’ she said.

“Dad loves footy and my sister has also inspired me. She shows me women can do anything.’’

Ellis said while she felt right at home in sevens, the XV’s game stumped her at first.

Tyson Tran (St Christophers), Dylan Phillips (St Christophers), Ronny Boulos (St Christophers), Waiaria Ellis (All Saints Toongabbie Tigers JRLFC) and Attaria Marsters-Elliott (Balmain PCYC) back in their junior footy days.

“To be honest I haven’t played a lot of rugby 15s so I didn’t really have much of a clue at first,’’ she said.

“I was just yelling but I didn’t know what I was yelling about.’’

In a morale-boosting sign for the season, the NSW Waratahs women beat the ACT Brumbies 41–7 in a trial match in February.

In this match Ellis scored a solo try in an impressive display from the youngster.

WARATAHS TEAM

1. Loose-head Prop Emily Robinson, 2. Hooker Brittany Merlo, 3. Tight-head Prop Bridie O’Gorman, 4. Left Lock Sera Naiqama, 5. Right Lock Annabelle Codey, 6. Left Flanker Skye Churchill, 7. Right Flanker Emily Chancellor, 8. Number 8 Piper Duck ©, 9. Scrum half Layne Morgan, 10. Fly half Arabella McKenzie, 11. Left Wing Desiree Miller, 12. Inside Centre Katrina Barker, 13. Outside Centre Georgina Friedrichs (VC), 14. Right Wing Maya Stewart, 15. Fullback Caitlyn Halse.

Replacements: 16 Siusiuosalafai Volkman, 17 Brianna Hoy, 18. Eva Karpani, 19. Hollie Cameron, 20. Leilani Nathan, 21. Tatum Bird, 22. Waiaria Ellis. 23. Jade Sheridan.

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Originally published as Tiny football schoolgirl Waiaria Ellis makes Super W rugby history with Waratahs debut at 16