Grace Kemp Selected in Wallaroos Player of National Interest Squad

Grace Kemp has been been selected in the Australian Wallaroos Players of National Interest squad.

Players of National Interest squad consists of 40 players chosen on their form during the Super W season.

The squad was picked at the conclusion of the Super W season where Grace played for the Brumbies.

The Tuesday morning after the conclusion of the Super W season is when Grace received the email from Rugby Australia.

“It was something I was really hoping for but I wasn’t very sure if it was going to happen because there were so many great players.”

“As soon as I got that email saying I had been re-selected in the squad I called mum and was in tears but I was also really excited.”

This is when Grace realised that her dream was starting to come true.

“From playing juniors for the Harden Red Devils and playing women’s at home to pulling on a green and gold jersey I always knew that it was something that I wanted to do. It is definitely a massive dream come true.”

As for when Grace will go into camp is undecided at the moment due to the current COVID situation.

It’s not all smooth sailing for Grace into the Wallaroos squad as selectors will cut 10 players in September just in time for the scheduled test matches.

One goal that Grace will be looking towards is the Rugby World Cup which will be held in New Zealand in October and November.

Grace started the year with her local Canberra club the Canberra Royals who are the reigning premiers of the competition before then moving into the Super W competition with the Brumbies.

Grace believes that all of the training that the Royals team had done before the Super W got herself and her teammates fit for the season with the Brumbies.

For Grace this season with the Brumbies was very different from her first season.

This season the Brumbies team travelled to Coffs Harbour for one week playing four games against the New South Wales Waratahs, Melbourne Rebels and a President’s XV side.

This was a different format than Grace was used to due to games being played weekly in her first season of Super W in 2019.

“The one week in Coffs Harbour was an amazing experience to play at the Coffs Harbour International Stadium and to also have my family come up and watch was great.”

Grace said that the feeling of pulling on the Brumbies jersey was great after missing last years tournament due to injury.

“Pulling on that jersey again was a massive high for me this year.”

To start playing at Super W level again was nerve wracking for Grace as she hadn’t played that level of rugby for a while.

“I was lucky enough to have my coaches to help me develop my strengths and weaknesses so when I went into the season prepared.”

“I had the help that I needed which I was very grateful for.”

During the week long Super W season Grace believes that she improved on her defence.

“My defensive goal for the tournament was to have great line speed and make contact early. I think that was something that I ticked goals with.”

Grace played all four games for the ACT Brumbies this season starting in two and as reserve in another two.

The Brumbies had a semi successful season winning two of their four games with both wins coming against the Melbourne Rebels.

The highlight of Grace’s year so far is her second Wallaroos camp which was held in Canberra earlier in the year.

“We got to verse each other which was a pretty amazing experience. We have all been training so long both by satellite and in camp and to finally be able to play with and against these girls in an internal trial was a big eyeopener.”

“It showed me what we are building towards.”

Grace’s advice to anyone trying to achieve their dreams is to “Always train hard, always be ready for the unexpected and always ask for help.

Tahlia Crane