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Natalie King will be representing Kelowna at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup in Australia this year, which is the first year that Canada has ever participated in the competition.
Originally from London, England, King moved to Kelowna 11 years ago after playing with the Rugby Union for two years with the Ealing Jades.
At 33 years old, she had planned to retire this year, as she says the sport takes a toll on your body.
However, she got talked into coaching the Kelowna team, and then ended up playing as well.
“It doesn’t take much to twist my arm when it comes to playing rugby,” she says.
After leading the Kelowna Crows women's rugby team undefeated through the season and taking home the championship, King was approached in May about trying out for Rugby League.
King says the opportunity took her by surprise, as she had planned on retiring this year.
From there, King progressed made it through to tryouts, where she was longlisted for the team. From there the coaches shortened that list of 35 players down to 22 to take to the World Cup in Australia.
King found out on Thanksgiving Monday that she would be going to Australia with the Canadian team in just three weeks time.
King heads to Australia on November 6th, where she will participate in a week-long training camp at Runaway Bay Sports Super Centre on the Gold Coast.
From there, the team will head to Sydney for their first game against New Zealand on November 16th, which Kings says will be a tough match.
King will have to raise the money to cover some of the costs of her athletic adventure, as the Canada Rugby League have covered some of the costs but not all.
To support King on her trip to represent Canada in our country first trip to the Rugby World Cup, see her Go Fund Me page.
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