Multi-Talented Black Fern an Inspiration
Many of the Black Ferns are like that and someone who definitely has the attitude of a professional but who still works full-time is Canterbury and Black Ferns front-rower Stephanie TeOhaere-Fox. This talented 24-year-old should be regarded as being a role model to any aspiring rugby player in Canterbury. Not only is she a Black Fern (having made her debut in Australia last season), but she works two jobs (in furniture removal and in her father’s lawn mowing and gardening business). “It’s tough fitting everything in,” she admits. “Although I am not in the Canterbury Rugby Academy any more, I still train with them, and that means I train four days a week, before the game on the Saturday.” While that is a punishing routine in itself, Stephanie then often goes and plays rugby league on Sundays. “I am not playing league at the moment because I broke my nose playing league, but I play it to improve my fitness and to also improve my defence.” Stephanie says however that rugby union remains her passion. She came to Christchurch from the Thames area in the later stages of her secondary schooling. Her sister was here and she wanted to progress her rugby. “It only took me a year to acclimatise to the cold,” she laughs. The move has paid big dividends for not only her, but her entire family. Her third sister also eventually moved to Christchurch, meaning that her mum and dad (who was a Maori All Black) eventually also moved south. “One of my sisters, Leana (Hoani), plays Touch for New Zealand and so we are a very sporty family,” Stephanie says. “Mum and Dad are very proud of us.” For Stephanie the honours have come thick and fast since she moved to Canterbury. Not only has she played for Canterbury and the Black Ferns, but also Canterbury Schools and Canterbury B. “Playing for the Black Ferns last season was naturally the highlight. It was everything and more that I expected it to be. I learnt so much and I was so tired each night because there was so much to take in. I loved it.” Making the Black Ferns’ squad for its tour to England in November and then the World Cup squad next season (also in England) remain the rugby goals for the likeable front-rower. “I think I have one or two World Cups left in me after that,” she laughs. “They say that front-rowers take time to mature.” Locationhttp://www.crfu.co.nz/main/index.cfm/1,236,3047,0,html Copyright © CRFU 2012 |
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Sometimes in this professional age it is easy to overlook those athletes who train like professionals but who do not receive the monetary rewards that are regularly associated with professionalism.Site by Orbital Ltd