State of Origin U19: Daughter of NRL gun’s decision to quit netball pays off with Blues, NRLW spot

When rising star Ruby-Jean Kennard quit netball to play rugby league some of her friends wondered why. But she had a very good reason.

Eels NRLW player Ruby-Jean Kennard is preparing for the Blues U19 Origin. Pic: Justin Lloyd.

When Toongabies Ruby-Jean Kennard makes her Blues debut in the under 19 Origin match against Queensland at Leichhardt Oval on Thursday it will be because of a decision she made at the age of 14.

The youngster decided to flick netball for rugby league because she thought her original sport was “too soft” for her.

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Ruby-Jean Kennard has been signed to the Parramatta Eels.

“I started to play rugby league at 14 when I was already playing netball in the Blacktown comp,’’ said Kennard, who admits she relishes the physicality and impact of league.

“Netball was too soft for me. Not aggressive enough.

“No one complains in football when you get hit.’’

The decision has seen the 18-year-old Parramatta Eels young gun, the only known player to rise through the junior elite pathway system at one club, selected in her first NSW U19 team for the match against Queensland.

Brett Finch tackles Ben Ellis in a match back in 2008.

Now playing for the Wentworth Magpies in the Harvey Norman women’s competition and the Eels in the Tarsha Gale, Kennard was bought up in a big rugby league family with father Ben Ellis playing NRL for the St George Illawarra Dragons.

“I wanted to be like him,’’ Kennard said.

“Then my goal was to be in the NRLW and I got a call for that last month’’

Kennard said she was so overwhelmed to be invited into the eels NRLW Squad she was quite literally left speechless.

“I was so quiet. I was about to cry. And Andy (Patmore) was going ‘are you there, are you there?’,” she said.

“I had to make myself answer.’’

Parramatta player Ruby-Jean Kennard is a player to watch in the future.

In a double header showcasing the best and brightest young talent in rugby league, NSW will take on Queensland din the women’s U19 match at 5.45pm at Leichhardt Oval with the U19 Blues taking on their northern rivals in the men’s match at 7.45pm.

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Read more from Amanda Lulham HERE