Dandenong North
By Paul Pickering
SELMA Smith has never laid a crunching tackle or scored a match-winning try, but she’s done the hard yards for the sport of rugby league.
The Dandenong North resident and Victorian Rugby League life member is being honoured as part of the NRL’s Women in League round this week.
After 33 years of involvement with the VRL and her beloved Waverley/Oakleigh Panthers, Smith’s service was recognised during the Women in League luncheon at Melbourne’s Intercontinental Hotel yesterday (Wednesday).
The initiative – established in 2007 – celebrates the important role that women play in the sport, with proceeds from various fundraising events going towards the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
And few women have done more in the game than Smith, who has held the positions of president, vice-president and secretary of the Clayton-based Panthers, while also serving on the VRL board as the Melbourne Metropolitan junior league delegate.
Smith was born in New Zealand and says she grew up with the game, following her father, uncle and brothers.
She now leads a predominantly female committee at Waverley/Oakleigh and, despite the sport’s reputation as a masculine domain, says she has always felt welcome.
“I’ve always enjoyed it,” she said.
“I’m pretty firm with what I say, and I’ve honestly never had any problems at all. I’ve been accepted – even with all the other clubs.”
Smith, who is a fanatical Melbourne Storm fan and foundation member, says she would have no hesitation in encouraging other women to become involved in rugby league.
