Despite being involved with rugby league for the bulk of her life, Ruan Sims’ eyes still light up when talking about the sport she loves.
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No longer known as just the sister of Tariq, Ashton and Korbin, who have all played in the NRL, Ruan Sims is a star in her own right and is not only one of the biggest names in the women’s game, she’s one of its biggest promoters.
On Wednesday she joined fellow Australian representative star Sam Bremner at Caltex Park, mixing it with young female players as part of a juniors to Jillaroos clinic.
While spending times with all the girls in attendance, answering countless questions about her career and rugby league, Sims took time to talk about the game and said its continued growth can benefit more than just the women’s national side.
“It’s not just about the sport. It’s about empowering that next generation coming through,” she told the Daily Liberal.
“One of the programs I’m involved in with the NRL is the Our Voice Against Violence program and to me the way to end gender violence is to address gender and equality.
It’s not just about the sport. It’s about empowering that next generation coming through
- Ruan Sims
“If we have the next generation coming through thinking girls playing rugby league is the norm, girls playing contact sports is the norm, girls being firefighters is the norm, girls being CEOs is the norm, then I think we’re a long way to addressing these social issues.”
Sims went on to say with the platform and standing rugby league has in the community, there is the chance for the game to drive this and for the NRL to help bring about social change.
Respect and equality was a big thing both Sims and Bremner discussed when speaking in front of the crowd of aspiring Jillaroos.
As well as taking time to hear from two of the game’s best, the youngsters were also put through their paces by NRL Development Officers in a number of different drills, learning everything from running with the ball through to tackling.
Sims and Bremner, both preparing for the Women’s World Cup in November and December, also took time to speak to parents of aspiring female players. There they heard first hand the push for junior competitions solely for girls to be set up out west, both in schools and through more gala days.
The Jillaroos pair have been to Dubbo in the past, Bremner only just week for the Peachey Shield and Richardson Cup finals day, and both are delighted to see the development of the women’s game in country areas.
“It’s an awesome opportunity for girls to come here and up-skill themselves, for those that are playing, and for those who are thinking about playing to get a taste,” Bremner said.
“It’s great to see so many girls here and if it keeps going on each year, or later this year, there will be even more attending.
“It’s unknown how many girls in the country that play rugby league and how skillful they are and the more exposure the high end of female rugby league gets the more untapped skill we’re getting in regional areas.”