“I love rugby league, it’s like an addiction and I will be involved all of my life” - Honey Hireme-Smiler
Honey Hireme-Smiler MNZM knows a thing or two about playing rugby league after a glittering career at club and international level. However, in a discussion about her long and illustrious involvement with the game she loves, her first thought is for those pioneers who insisted on playing rugby league 100 years ago.
“I need to do more research on this subject, but my total respect goes to those 26 women and the organisers who were involved on that historic occasion. We are all here because of their tenacity and courage.”
Hireme-Smiler is one of the great advocates for women in rugby league and she is excited to see the progress being made in Australia and New Zealand and in countries around the world. “The Pacific Island teams have loads of potential and I believe they could rank in the top four teams in the world. Papua New Guinea I believe are on the rise. They have a great pool of players and despite huge adversity, they have really grown the women’s game in their country.
“The talent pool for Pacific Island female rugby league players is huge and if we want to play against the best teams, then more resources need to be made available, more opportunities, pathways and international games offered to the Pacific teams. It is vital to put them on the world stage.
“Brazil is another team I am excited to see get involved in women’s rugby league, there seems to be a real buzz over there and plenty of women and girls wanting to give rugby league a go.”
Having enjoyed a long career in the sport, Honey believes that it is the actual game and culture surrounding it that makes it so special and so attractive. “I would encourage women and girls to take up rugby league wherever they are in the world if they get the chance.
“I love the freedom of running and the movement. I love my teammates and the sense of togetherness which, in turn leads to confidence. I appreciate some women may initially worry about the contact element. I was lucky to grow up playing with the boys and once I got to play with women it was a totally level playing field and I would encourage women to overcome any nervousness and give it a try – you will become engrained in the sport as I have.”
Whilst we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first ever game of women’s rugby league, Hireme-Smiler is keen to look forward. “In the next 10 years I believe we could have full time professional women’s rugby competitions around the world, a possible 9 a-side in the Olympics and up to 16 countries competing at the world cup in the women’s game.
“I get excited to see the game continue to evolve and how we continue to offer a wide range of variations of the sport so that everyone has the opportunity to play our great game.”
“I have a life-long connection with rugby league so far, I love it and will be involved as long as I live.”
