Coffs Harbour wonder girl Kaitlan Leaney makes her debut for the Wallaroos

She’s only been playing rugby for six years, but Kaitlan Leaney is already representing her country, after making her debut for the Wallaroos last week. She speaks about her epic journey to the top and an insight into the Wallaroos camp.

She picked up a football for the first time at 14: but Kaitlan Leaney’s dream of representing her country has already come true.

Ms Leaney, 21, stormed out for her debut against Fiji last week in a game she’ll never forget.

Transitioning from netball, Leaney only started playing rugby six years ago and immediately made an impression.

“I fell in love with it immediately,” Ms Leaney said.

A proud Kaitlan Leaney, 21 was selected in the Wallaroos squad – she came from the SCU Marlins and Coffs Harbour Snappers after taking up rugby just six years ago.

Her debut last week proves the 21 year old is set for a very bright future – playing a very solid 80 minutes at Suncorp Stadium.

Leaney said she “didn’t have words” when she was called up to the Wallaroos squad.

“I was so shocked. Everything has moved so fast,” Ms Leaney said.

To be called up was one incredible honour, but to be named in the starting line-up was another.

“There’s so much quality, you never know until you know,” she said.

Ms Leaney well and truly earned her stripes – putting in a brilliant performance.

“It was hard to put into words,” Ms Leaney said of the moment she walked out.

Kaitlan Leaney with her proud family – representing Australia and putting on an excellent performance at the Suncorp Stadium.

“It’s this moment of success and hard work: the blood, sweat and tears paid off,” she said.

Her transition into the Wallaroos squad was made easy by a tight camp.

“Everyone has each other’s backs,” she said.

She described the team as a “really good group of girls”.

“We’re behind each other and love one another,” Ms Leaney said.

Constantly hitting new PB’s at training - Leaney is a great example to many young Coffs athletes that hard work can make a dream a reality.

“You just have to keep going and work hard. Every training is full pelt,” Ms Leaney said.

Kaitlan Leaney has a bright future. At just 21, she has all the attributes to make it to the very top.

Representing Coffs Harbour and women generally, she said the women’s game has “skyrocketed” since 2016.

A pivotal moment came in 2016 – as the ‘Pearls’ (Aussie women’s 7’s rugby team) won gold for Rugby Sevens first year at the Summer Olympics.

“A lot of girls wanted to start playing – there’s now more players, more skills,” Ms Leaney said

She said training facilities, stadiums and coaches are now better than ever.

Ms Leaney said she’s had so much support from Coffs Harbour – “where it all started”.

“I played my first Super W season in Coffs and it showed a lot of young girls that if you can see it – you can be it,” Ms Leaney said.

It’s hard to fathom what goes on behind the scenes to reach this level.

“You’ve got to be willing to sacrifice. You have to be the hardest worker in the room.”

From Coffs Harbour to Newcastle and now based in Sydney, Leaney’s journey proves regional towns have plenty of talent and there are pathways if you work hard.

“It’s this moment of success and hard work: the blood, sweat and tears paid off,” Kaitlan Leaney put on a brilliant performance against Fiji.

Ms Leaney said she has considered the mental side of the game more since developing into a pro.

“You learn to balance emotions and when to switch on,” she said.

She said she used to spend hours awake at night before games, considering potential outcomes.

“What if I get hurt?”

She can now rely on her own success and achievement as a reminder that any adversity the game throws at her, she can throw back harder.

The Rugby World Cup will be hosted in New Zealand in October – with all of Coffs Harbour behind the star.