While embracing the opportunity of a lifetime at one of the NRL’s formidable clubs, India Seeto, a vibrant teenage prodigy, had a relatively late start in her rugby league journey. Despite only playing the sport for six years, her achievements have been remarkable, and she has seized every opportunity that has come her way.
“I began playing rugby league when I was twelve, which is considered late these days, considering girls in Australia start joining clubs as young as six. My school teacher asked if I was interested in trying out for the girls’ rugby league team, and since I was into athletics and feeling fit, I eagerly accepted the chance. From that moment on, I never looked back and wished I had started playing the game earlier.”
Interestingly, given her active sporting background, we might not have seen Seeto pick up a rugby ball at all. “Before playing rugby league, I was a cheerleader for ten years and heavily involved in athletics. Track and field, particularly the 100m, 200m, and shot-put events, were my focus. I always had an interest in sports and staying active, but personally, I loved dancing and running. While the running part has helped my game to some extent, I’ve left my cheerleading days behind because I’m having too much fun on the field with the other girls.”
During her short time in rugby league, Seeto has rapidly climbed the ranks. She not only plays for the Brisbane Tigers in the women’s Queensland Cup competition but has also been part of the women’s academies at both the Sydney Roosters and Gold Coast Titans before signing with the Broncos. However, it is her representative duties that have been career-defining milestones, including being selected for the Queensland Kokomo’s PNG women’s side, the Australian schoolgirls side, and being one of seventeen girls chosen for the inaugural Queensland U18’s women’s team.
“It’s crazy to think about what I’ve achieved in such a short time in rugby league, but if you work hard and pursue your dreams as I have, anything is possible. If it weren’t for my dad, who also played rugby league, encouraging and pushing me, I might still be running around the athletics track.”
Seeto’s parents, originally from remote South Bougainville, an autonomous island between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, immigrated to Australia for a better life. Her love for her parents’ heritage is unparalleled. “I qualify for both PNG and Australia, and now that I have represented both countries, I’m excited about wearing either jersey. In fact, I’ve represented PNG in the women’s Kokomo side in the QPICC competition in Queensland, which is a stepping stone towards one day playing for the PNG Orchids. I don’t have a favorite country, but there was something special about wearing that PNG jersey that made me think of my parents and where they come from. One of my dreams is to be selected for the Orchids and achieve another goal on my list.”
While Seeto has a strong allegiance to her PNG heritage, she is grateful for the opportunity to represent Australia and earn selection for Queensland at such a young age. “I’ll never forget that moment when I was selected for the inaugural U18’s Queensland schoolgirls game in 2022. Not only were we pioneers for Queensland schoolgirl rugby league, but playing in the curtain raiser before the men’s State of Origin game was surreal. I still remember how nervous the girls were, with some players even getting sick, while others were simply caught up in the moment. But all the girls walked away from that game with an unforgettable experience.”
However, it was Seeto’s unexpected selection for the Australian team that gave her the ultimate thrill, providing her with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “I can still recall that moment as if it were yesterday. I was in class when my mom texted me to call her. I had to get permission from my teacher to take the call, and on the other end of the line, my mom told me I had been selected for Australia. All the hard work I had put in was so worth it because now I had the chance to represent my country of birth. Many girls will never have the privilege of representing their country, but it goes to show that hard work really pays off.”
While the effervescent Seeto continues to pursue a career in rugby league, with the hope of one day making it to the Broncos NRLW side, she also aspires to become a teacher and is pursuing a teaching degree. “You need to have something to fall back on if things don’t work out. But for now, I’m enjoying this incredible run of luck I’m having. If you believe you’re good enough to succeed in rugby league, I encourage any girl to give it a try. Life is short, and time waits for no one. The longer you wait, the more you’ll start doubting yourself. I’m living proof that if you truly want something, you have to be willing to make sacrifices to achieve your goals.”While embracing the opportunity of a lifetime at one of the NRL’s most powerful clubs, India Seeto, a vibrant teenage prodigy, had a relatively late start in her rugby league journey. Despite playing rugby league for only six years, her accomplishments have been remarkable, and she has made the most of every opportunity that has come her way.
“I began playing rugby league at the age of twelve, which is considered late these days since girls in Australia start joining clubs as young as six. My school teacher invited me to try out for the girls’ rugby league team, and being into athletics and feeling fit, I eagerly accepted the chance. From that moment on, I never looked back and wished I had started playing the game earlier.”
Interestingly, given her active sporting background, we might not have seen Seeto pick up a rugby ball at all. “Before playing rugby league, I was a cheerleader for ten years and heavily involved in athletics. My focus in athletics was track and field, particularly the 100m, 200m, and shot-put events. I always had an interest in sports and staying active, but personally, I loved dancing and running. While my running skills have helped in rugby league to some extent, I’ve left my cheerleading days behind because I’m having too much fun on the field with the other girls.”
During her short time in rugby league, Seeto has quickly climbed the ranks. She not only plays for the Brisbane Tigers in the women’s Queensland Cup competition but has also been part of the women’s academies at both the Sydney Roosters and Gold Coast Titans before signing with the Broncos. However, it is her representative duties that have been significant milestones in her career, including being selected for the Queensland Kokomo’s PNG women’s side, the Australian schoolgirls side, and being one of seventeen girls chosen for the inaugural Queensland U18’s women’s team.
“It’s amazing to think about what I have achieved in such a short time in rugby league, but if you work hard and pursue your dreams as I have, anything is possible. If it weren’t for my dad, who also played rugby league, pushing and encouraging me, I might still be running around the athletics track.”
Seeto’s parents, who originally come from remote South Bougainville, an autonomous island between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, immigrated to Australia for a better life. Her love for her parents’ heritage is unmatched. “I am eligible to represent both PNG and Australia, and now that I have represented both countries, I’m enthusiastic about wearing either jersey. In fact, I have represented PNG in the women’s Kokomo side in the QPICC competition in Queensland, which is a stepping stone towards one day playing for the PNG Orchids. I don’t have a favorite country, but there was something special about wearing that PNG jersey that made me think about my parents and where they come from. One of my dreams is to be selected for the Orchids and accomplish another goal on my list.”
While Seeto has a strong allegiance to her PNG heritage, she is grateful for the opportunity to represent Australia and earn selection for Queensland at such a young age. “I will never forget the moment when I was selected for the inaugural U18’s Queensland schoolgirls game in 2022. Not only were we pioneers for Queensland schoolgirl rugby league, but playing in the curtain raiser before the men’s State of Origin game was surreal. I can still remember how nervous the girls were, with some players even getting sick, while others were simply caught up in the moment. But all the girls walked away from that game with an unforgettable experience.”
However, it was Seeto’s unexpected selection for the Australian team that gave her the ultimate thrill, providing her with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “I still remember that moment as if it happened yesterday. I was in class when my mom texted me to call her. I had to get permission from my teacher to take the call, and on the other end of the line, my mom told me I had just been selected for Australia. All the hard work I had put in was so worth it because now I had the chance to represent my country of birth. Many girls will never have the privilege of representing their country, but it just goes to show that hard work really pays off.”
While the energetic Seeto continues to pursue a career in rugby league, with the hope of one day making it to the Broncos NRLW side, she also aspires to become a teacher and is currently studying for a teaching degree. “It’s important to have something to fall back on if things don’t work out. But for now, I’m enjoying this incredible streak of luck I’m experiencing. If you believe you’re good enough to succeed in rugby league, I encourage any girl to give it a try. Life is short, and time waits for no one. The longer you wait, the more you’ll start doubting yourself. I am living proof that if you truly want something, you have to be
