Karolina Blizanac is a Serbia Rugby League Local Hero

Karolina Blizanac is totally involved in rugby league. She is a player, match official and videographer – something for every day of the week.

She started her career playing for the giants, Red Star Belgrade when she was just 15 years of age. A year later she was excelling at the sport to the point where she was selected to make her international debut. She played against Italy to become Serbia’s youngest ever international player.

Not content with just playing, Karolina took up refereeing and officiated as a touch judge at the Serbian Rugby League Grand Final in 2019.

Outside of rugby league, she is studying architecture at high school and works part-time as a sports reporter for SportsNet covering football and water polo and, more recently, games in the Serbian championship and in the Balkan Super League.

She sums up her love of rugby league as so many people have:

“I play rugby league because it's a different sport, it gives me a family and friends for life.

“It’s a sport that everyone can play regardless of build, you just need a big heart and love of the sport.   

“My dream would be for Serbia to feature in the 2025 Rugby League World Cup and for me to play a part in that.”