Patience, passion pays off for Wests Tigers pioneer ahead of NRLW return

From the moment Botille Vette-Welsh first donned the black, white and orange in 2019, one of her rugby league dreams has been to represent the Wests Tigers in the NRLW.

Announcing the signing of 26-year-old Vette-Welsh as captain of their inaugural NRLW campaign on Tuesday marked an emotional occasion for both the Wests Tigers and who believe she can bring long-term success to the club.

It’s been a long journey for the New-Zealand born fullback, moving between clubs and navigating a knee injury but “patience” finally paid off when the Wests Tigers pioneer put pen to paper on her future at Concord.

“One of my big dreams has been to play NRLW for the Tigers since we kicked off the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership (HNWP) in 2019 and it’s been tough and a long road but I think I’ve learnt a lot off the field about who I am and what I want to stand for,” Vette-Welsh told NRL.com on Tuesday.

“Although being injured sucks, it feels now like it’s been a blessing in disguise. I would have been locked down in Parramatta, but my injury has made me available to be here which has always been a goal of mine.

Patience is my favourite and least favourite word I’ve ever had to understand. It’s taken me a year to come to terms with my injury and much longer than a year to get here today.

Botille Vette-Welsh Wests Tigers fullback

After rupturing her ACL while playing for the Parramatta Eels in March last year, the Māori All-Star revealed she will make her return to the field when the NRLW kicks off later this year.

Watching the NRLW grow in speed and intensity from the sideline last season, the NSW and Australian representative said she is prepared for the game to reach new heights when it expands to a ten-team competition in 2023.

“Benny my trainer said I’m 12 weeks away a few weeks ago so I have to try not to have McDonald’s and KFC until then, I’m working towards a date and hopefully I’ll be skinny and fit by then,” she joked.

“Just watching from the sidelines in the second season last year, I couldn’t believe the speed the game has got to and how nippy some of the young girls are, like Jada Taylor, man she’s fast.

“They can move and ball play...I might not be at the same speed as I once was, but I know spending time off the field and taking on different roles in a team has given me different insights on the game so hopefully, I’ll be back out there mixing in with the best of the fullbacks soon.”

Alongside Vette-Welsh, the Wests Tigers also announced the signing of Jillaroos captain Kezie Apps and former Roosters star forward Sarah Togatuki as the first marquee players to sign NRLW contracts at the club.

Vette-Welsh believes her new Wests Tigers teammates will help inspire the next generation of NRLW stars who now have a complete pathway to the top at the Concord club.

“Myself, Sarah and Kezie have all played together in various teams which is very exciting,” she said.

“Kezie has played a massive role in the women’s game and is a huge draw card for the younger girls coming through.

“To be able to say they’ve met or played with Kezie is very special and to have her back in the Tigers colours is very exciting.”

Brett Kimmorley will return as coach of the new NRLW franchise after coaching the Wests Tigers Harvey Norman Premiership side last season. 

The former Cronulla and Canterbury halfback said Vette-Welsh’s leadership will be crucial to the newcomer's success in 2023.

“Because she’s been injured for the last 12 months, she has been forgotten about to some degree in the NRLW space but we know how good she is as a player, she’s played in different representative teams,” Kimmorley said.

“I think her leadership will be very important to us, her athleticism will be important for the game.

“The fact that she’s been with the club and has been patient in waiting for us to get an NRLW license and now wants to be part of the NRLW inaugural team is amazing.”