Mounties gun Shaylee Bent’s journey from skinny kid to Rugby League World Cup 9’s
What a journey! In just a few years Shaylee Bent has gone from skinny kid to playing at Bankwest Stadium alongside the best players in rugby league.
Penrith
Don't miss out on the headlines from Penrith. Followed categories will be added to My News.
When Shaylee Bent first wanted to play rugby league her dad banned her.
Bent said father Paul was concerned she wasn’t big or tough enough for the game at just 15.
“Dad was scared for me. I was just a skinny little thing,’’ said Bent, from St Marys, during a year to remember in a sport she has been playing less than four years.
“I finally conned him in and he came along and watched me and loved it.
“Thank goodness dad changed his mind.
“Now he wants me to go out there and be aggressive and play as well as I can.’’
The change of heart by her father saw the 19-year-old pull on an Australian jersey for the first time at the Bankwest stadium during the Rugby League World Cup 9’s on Friday and Saturday.
“It was a good learning curve for me, being so young, this being such a big year,” said Bent who played against England and PNG at the tournament.
“It show how have to be training and putting in the extras now.
“At the moment I’ve just been playing and winging it. Now I want to train more and be dominating more, be more consistent.’’
RUGBY: Teen head, shoulders above the rest
TOKYO: Son of NRL legend a chip off the old block
Bent also made her NRLW debut for the St George Illawarra Dragons this year.
“It was really exciting. I played every game, the full 60 minutes,’’ she said.
Bent, who played junior football with the Glenmore Park Brumbies, was also a member of the Mounties side which won the Harvey Norman NSW women’s rugby league title for the first time with a 12-10 victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
She was then named as 18th woman for the Blues in their one-off State of Origin battle with Queensland in June.
“I didn't get on but it was such an honour,’’ she said.
“Everything has really sped up for me this year. It’s all be a bit overwhelming.
“I am simply lost for worlds representing my country.’’
Bent work as a family history researcher and is also studying a bachelor of education at Western Sydney University in Penrith.
But the teenager said she also has another goal to achieve on the paddock next year.
“The next big goal is to make the 13-a-side test team,’’ she said.
“And to play for NSW in Origin. That would be great.’’
The Jillaroos finished runners-up to the Kiwi Ferns in the decider of the World Cup on the weekend with the New Zealanders breaking a three-year drought with their 17-15 win.
MORE SPORT