By Hayley Wildes
Oneata Schwalger has been around rugby for as long as she can remember.
Having made it to the pinnacle of rugby union – playing at the top level and representing Australia – Oneata, who plays for South Eastern Titans Rugby League Club, is now focused on making a career in rugby league.
With her synonymous determination and effort, the 32-year-old mother of two is well on her way to doing just that.
Recently, Oneata represented the Combined Affiliated States (made up of players from Northern Territory, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia) at the Women’s National Rugby League Championships on the Gold Coast.
Taking on the rugby league powerhouse states of New South Wales and Queensland, Oneata and her teammates never backed down and although they were unable to come away with a win, there was great pride in their performance.
“It was awesome, especially playing against NSW and QLD teams for the first time. Despite only having two days of training as a team, we weren’t far off and I know we can be up there competing for the top spot next year,” Oneata said.
Oneata’s toughness, ability to run through packs and make game-changing plays is what makes her such a tantalising player to watch.
Her journey to representing Victoria as a member of the Combined Affiliated States hasn’t been an easy one. She admitted she had some mental demons due to shoulder surgery which took months to overcome.
The countless hours of rehab, treatment, travel and training were all worth it for Oneata, who ultimately hopes to get drafted to the NRL Women’s Premiership competition which kicks off later this year with the four-team competition to be played as double-headers alongside NRL finals matches.
“You’ve just to do what you’ve got to do to make your dream come true,” Oneata said.
“100% that’s the goal [to get drafted].”
With great aspirations, she hasn’t lost sight of what her local club – the South Eastern Titans – means to her and how they have helped her thus far.
“The club has been awesome,” she said.
“There’s a great bunch of girls there and I love it because of the culture. It took a lot of pressure off me because of the way the girls are and how family-orientated the club is.”
Women’s rugby league continues to go from strength to strength, and with players like Oneata Schwalger taking the game on and providing plenty of highlights, make sure you keep an eye on what the future holds.
