With her myriad club and representative football commitments it’s hard to know how Harvey Norman NSW Sky Blues forward Simaima Taufa ever has any spare time.
But her belief in seeing Rugby League grow – and the work she does on the ground to make that happen – has her as one of the four nominations for the 2021 Veronica White Medal.
The Medal for the women’s game has the same criteria as the men’s Ken Stephen Medal, where players must demonstrate how they are making a difference in their local community while playing the game at the elite level.
“To be nominated amongst incredible athletes and pioneers of the women’s game is humbling,” Taufa told NSWRL.com.
“And what each candidate has been able to contribute to amongst their respective communities has been incredible to witness.
“We are some of many players who continue to give back to our communities and I know how much we all are grateful to have had players before pave the way.”
Taufa is the 2017 Dally M winner and 2018 RLPA International Player of the Year award winner.
She has played up front in all four State of Origin games for the Harvey Norman NSW Sky Blues and has led the Mounties in the NSWRL’s HN Women’s Premiership.
After three years with NRLW side the Sydney Roosters, Taufa is now the inaugural captain of the Parramatta Eels NRLW team.
The Eels will line up for their first game against the Newcastle Knights when the NRLW season kicks off with a triple header at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday 27 February.
At the grassroots level, Taufa gives her own time to the Penrith Emu Plains JRLFC, setting up sheds, washing jerseys, distributing supplies, and supporting players on Game Day.
She has several other roles including Western Sydney NRL Ambassador and the Premier’s Sporting Challenge Ambassador, meaning Taufa puts time into numerous club programs.
She has travelled extensively around Sydney and into regional NSW to promote and deliver Rugby League development programs.
Internationally, Taufa has used her Tongan descent to actively promote the Voice Against Violence program in 2018 to fight incidents of family abuse in the Pacific nation.
Taufa also sends donations of playing kits and boots to junior clubs in Tonga.
The other three nominees for the 2021 Veronica White Medal are Jocelyn Kelleher (Roosters), Karina Brown (Titans), and Tallisha Harden (Broncos).
The medal was first awarded in 2019 with Warriors and Kiwis Ferns star, Honey Hireme, the inaugural winner.
White is a former president of the Australian Women’s Rugby League (AWRL), which was established in 1993 and now sits under the auspices of the ARL.
She was an integral part in developing the Women’s Interstate Challenge - now the State of Origin - and pushed for a national women’s competition to be formed back in the 1990s.
She is a former Jillaroo, playing her last game for Australia in 2004.
The Veronica White Medal is voted for by fans with the winner given $3,500 for their Junior Rugby League club or nominated charity.
