Many’s the time Rachael Pearson has proved herself best on ground – and one day she could do the same underground.
The Helensburgh woman, now a fully qualified mechanical engineer, has been named NSW Apprentice of the Year – and it’s an accolade you could see coming as clearly as one of her curling kicks for goal with Parramatta Eels’ rugby league side.
Rachael, 31, has plenty of recent form, having picked up two trade-related awards in the past two years while at the same time steering the Eels’ NRLW side around the park as a rangy halfback with an elite kicking game.
Born in Wagga and raised in Hay, Rachael came to the coast, where her first taste of top-level footy was with St George Illawarra before the blue-and-yellows snapped her up in a three-year deal she found too difficult not to accept.
“I’m now in the position to have employment through Parramatta Eels in the community team as well as focusing on being a rugby league player,’’ Rachael said. “Having a trade qualification was super important to me to have when my sporting career is finished I can return to the industry.
“Doing both mining and having a football career was extremely hard and a juggling act,” she said, adding that a work opportunity at Helensburgh’s Metropolitan mine could potentially be on the horizon when her playing days are over.
The Eels’ women’s season ended on September 22, when a 36-18 loss to the Roosters left them outside finals contention. Rachael had her usual solid all-round game, including three conversions.
“I’m really happy with how we have performed as a team this season at the Eels,’’ she said.
Growing up on a Riverina farm and enjoying working with her hands steered Rachael into considering the trade she selected.
“Hay is a great place to grow up in. Sport has always been huge for me and is a huge part of my family and the Hay community,” said Rachael, who found her feet as a trade assistant in a family-run business in that town.
“I enjoyed the work of a fitter and turner but also wanted to pursue rugby league,” she said, explaining how that led to the move to Helensburgh and a trade qualification through Zeal Futures and South 32.
“Having gained my trade qualification, I’m focusing on playing rugby league at a high level for as long as I can, with the plan to then return to the industry.”
Rachael will represent NSW in the National Apprentice of the Year finals in December.
