Samartha Leisha is a fighter who will never back down from a challenge – and her friends, family and footy club are calling on the rugby league community to rally behind her as she starts her road to recovery.
Her Emu Park club has set up a GoFundMe page to help raise funds for Leisha who can count playing for the Central Crows and Indigenous All Stars teams amongst her achievements.
Leisha broke her vertebrae at the weekend in what Emu Park women's coach and club president Jason Field has described as a “tackle gone wrong” and now faces a tough road back to recovery.
"It was just a tackle and it just went wrong,” Field told The Morning Bulletin.
“It's a significant injury, so there will be a long recovery in relation to medical expenses and physio.”
READ: The Morning Bulletin – Club rallies behind injured star player
Leisha is a mother-of-five who has been working hard to ensure all her children are able to get through school; and the club are hoping the Go Fund Me for Samartha Leisha page will help raise money for her medical bills and for every day expenses.
Rockhampton Operations Manager Amanda Ohl said it was a terrible accident; but there was a lot of support already gathering around the former Toowoomba Fillies and current Rockhampton Rustlers player.
“She’s in a lot of pain still and currently staying with family and is able to have her kids near her,” Ohl said.
“Already her club and others in the area are figuring out ways to support her.
“Her old club in Toowoomba have also reached out about doing some to raise funds.”
Emu Park Women's will hold a barbecue and raffle at the 'Festival of the Wind' event on April 14, with all proceeds going towards Leisha's recovery.
Another local club Norths Knights will also have donation tins at their home game next weekend; while Brothers Rugby League Club Rockhampton’s women’s team will be staging a raffle this weekend as well.
The Harvey Norman Queensland Women's training squad have also signed a shirt which will be raffled to help raise money.
Those who are unable to attend Rockhampton matches can donate at the Go Fund Me for Samartha Leisha page.
