LEISHA TAKES ON INDIGENOUS ROLE
Forward named co vice captain of All Stars side
Samartha Leisha takes great pride in wearing the Indigenous All Stars jersey, an honour she will again experience tomorrow. It not only allows her to represent her heritage, but continue the tradition of rugby league in her family. Having lost her father at a young age, Leisha has always wanted to carry the surname on in league circles, and gets that chance once more on the big stage. “I always think of my father,” she said. “Most of the girls talk about how proud their fathers are of them, but unfortunately I’m not one of them. “A lot of people tell me how proud he would be of me, and it is an honour to carry on the surname Leisha.”
Tomorrow’s appearance in Melbourne will be her second for the Indigenous All Stars, having made her debut two years ago in Newcastle. On that occasion she scored the opening try in her side’s 14-4 defeat of the World All Stars. She regards it as the pinnacle of her career to date, made extra special with the support of her family by her side. “That was the highlight of my football career to score that first try and to experience what being up there in the big league is like,” she said.
“I had my mum, brother and family there which helped with the nerves as well.
“They won’t be able to make it tomorrow with the travel, but they will definitely be watching.”
This time she will have an added bonus after coach Dean Widders named her as co-vice captain of the team.
“It was definitely a shock when announced as vice captain with Rebecca Young,” she said.
“I was privileged and proud. This young group has come a long way playing at a high level, and it will be an amazing feeling leading them.
“It shows they can step up and be in this position at some stage in the future.”
It also allows her to step up as a role model for girls around the country, who will be watching tomorrow’s game in awe.
“You have mixed emotions. It’s an amazing feeling being able to run out and represent the culture, as well as all the indigenous females who are looking up to us,” she said.
“There are so many aspiring to be in the sport now, and I know that I’m proud that I can showcase that, not only to indigenous women, but to everyone that there are opportunities out there.”
Widders, himself a member of the 2008 Indigenous Dreamtime team that faced off with the Maoris, said it wasn’t a hard decision to give Leisha a leadership role among the squad.
“She’s been around for a few years and is experienced at this level,” Widders said.
“Samartha is a real tough player and a leader around these young ladies.
“As a single mother of five kids, she brings a lot of skills as a mother and leads the way with the team. She’s always organised, prepared, gets the job done and does what needs to be done as it pops up.
“She is a good role model.”
The Women’s All Star fixture is live on Fox Sports from 4pm tomorrow, followed by the men’s match.