It was only a few years ago when 14-year-old Ruby-Jean Kennard made the switch from netball to Rugby League, and now the NRLW Parramatta Eels are reaping the rewards after her breakout 2022.
The sport runs in the family for Kennard, who is the daughter of former St George Illawarra Dragon hooker Ben Ellis while all her siblings also played junior footy.
Yet this year the hard work paid off as Kennard, 18, made her debut in the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership for the Wentworthville Magpies, as well as the NSW Women’s Under 19s in their commanding Origin victory.
Before that the Toongabbie Tiger had been part of the furniture in blue and gold, playing three consecutive seasons for the Eels’ Harvey Norman Tarsha Gale Cup team and scoring three tries from 23 matches.
So, when it came time to sign her first NRLW contract in early 2022, it made Kennard the first known player to progress all the way through the club’s Junior Elite Pathways program into the top squad.
Parramatta were one of the surprise packets of the NRLW season after finishing runners-up on Grand Final day against Newcastle. Kennard received her opportunity in first grade after making three appearances off the interchange during their campaign.
One of the highlights of the prop’s season came when Kennard donned the sky blue jersey for the Women’s Under 19s Origin clash at Leichhardt Oval.
In the 22-6 victory Kennard played 42 minutes in the front row, running for 108 metres with 40 post-contact and making 16 tackles – missing just one.
There’s no shortage of quality front-rowers in NSW with experienced names including Millie Boyle and Sarah Togatuki, and younger stars like Caitlan Johnston having a standout season in 2022. Ruby-Jean Kennard is among the rising talent in that position to look out for next.
