Three-time Brisbane Broncos champion Meg Ward has officially announced her retirement and move into the coaching world, as an assistant to Kelvin Wright.
The Queensland Maroon and Australian Jillaroo, who celebrated her 27th birthday just yesterday, first began playing representative rugby league while working as a Firefighter in the Defence Force in the Northern Territory.
That was after representing the Australian Schoolgirls in soccer, and a stint playing rugby union.
The Gosford born, Brisbane raised star represented Australia at the Rugby League World Cup in 2017, scoring three tries, before playing for the Maroons and making her debut with the Broncos in the inaugural NRLW season.
Ward won her third premiership with the club in 2020, finishing the season as the top point scorer in the competition.
In making the announcement, Ward said: "The time has come for me to hang the boots up. Unfortunately my body isn’t able to handle any more impact so I had to make the tough decision to close this chapter of my life.
"Rugby League changed my life and has given me the life I am so fortunate to live today. I’ll forever be grateful for all this amazing game has given me and now it’s my turn to give back.
"I’ve been fortunate to cross paths with some incredible humans and make life long memories I’ll cherish forever. To all those that have been a part of my playing career; teammates, coaching staff, fans, family, friends, everyone, thank you. I’ll be forever grateful for all the support I received through my injury ridden career.
"Never would I ever have dreamed of being a part of a World Cup winning Squad, representing my State in State of Origin, playing in 3 NRLW seasons with the Brisbane Broncos and winning 3 premierships as well as all the extra opportunities I was given to travel overseas with the ADF team.
"Although my time playing has come to end, it’s giving me the chance to move into a new role in coaching. I’m really looking forward to the next challenge and giving back! See you all round at the footy but moving forward I’ll be on sideline.
"It’s been one crazy of a ride, thanks for it all!"
Ward will her coaching debut on Sunday afternoon when the Broncos take on the Newcastle Knights in Newcastle.
