For my 'man': Broughton striving for greater heights

From an Olympic gold medal to an NRLW premiership ring, Gayle Broughton has achieved almost everything in a brilliant sporting career, but the Māori Wahine fullback has never been as motivated as she is now.

Broughton became a mother last year and son Eastyn is set to be a regular in the stands at FMG Stadium Waikato, the home of the Warriors NRLW team and venue for Sunday’s All Stars match, as he watches his mum strive for new heights.

The 29-year-old dual international was player-of-the-match in her only previous All Stars appearance in Rotorua in 2023 and she wants Eastyn to know the significance of Māori culture.

“I always get quite emotional speaking about him because he really does give me a sense of purpose and motivation that I have never seen in myself, ever, to represent the people who have come before me in the jersey, the people standing beside me, the people in the stands, but especially my man,” Broughton said.

“The different level of motivation I have with him coming into this world has been a huge honour to uphold, and not only represent him but for him to see, ‘man, my mum is representing who I am, my culture, our people’.

“I hope one day, whether it is in footy or whatever he puts his mind to, that he knows who he is and to always stand and be proud of his culture and who he is.”

After being awarded the Trish Hina Medal as player-of-the-match the last time All Stars was played in New Zealand three years ago, a passionate Broughton performed a haka back to her team-mates and recited her pepeha to the crowd.

“That game meant so much to me because it represented something larger than rugby league,” said Broughton, who helped the Broncos to victory in last year's NRLW grand final against the previously undefeated Roosters.

“I have always been a lover of this sport and to have the opportunity to come over and play NRLW was an honour but to play at home in front of your people for your culture, it hits a different part of your heart.”

Before joining the Eels in 2022, Broughton enjoyed a 10-year career playing rugby sevens for the Black Ferns, including two Olympic Games in 2016 and 2020 at which she won a silver medal in Rio and a gold medal in Paris.

However, Broughton grew up on league in the small town of Hāwera in Taranaki, and when the opportunity to play in the NRLW arose she jumped at it, paving the way for a series of Black Ferns stars to follow, including Niall Williams-Guthrie, Tyla King, Stacey Waaka and Tenika Willison.

Payton Takimoana, the leading tryscorer in last season’s NRLW, and Shakira Baker, made the switch in 2025 and will playing alongside Broughton at the Warriors this year, as well as in the Māori team for All Stars.

“As a player and as a Māori Wahine, All Stars was always something I wanted to do and when I got the opportunity, it was such a huge honour and privilege to represent my people at that level,” she said.

“I am so excited for the girls that do get that honour for the first time this year and to really see them be immersed in not only their own culture, but get to celebrate two amazing cultures – our First Nations brothers and sisters across the ditch – and to be able to show the world the talent that we have.

“It is not just another game to us; it is pride, it is responsibility, but it is also gratitude. My culture carries stories, my culture carries values and my ancestors also carry sacrifices of generations before me, and it’s not taken lightly.”

After signing a two-year deal with the Warriors to enable her to move home with Eastyn, Broughton is looking forward to playing regularly in Hamilton, which last year set a new attendance record for a standalone NRLW match against the Broncos.