Tackling new goals RUGBY SISTERS' SECRET TALENTS

The Black Ferns are excited to be trying their hands at some off-the-field pursuits

- Kelly Bertrand

The Bremner family trophy cabinet is bursting at the seams with the awards, medals and accolades that come with having two Black Ferns in the family.

But for rugby superstars Chelsea and Alana Bremner, their 2022 Rugby World Cup medals are nestled right alongside their first big awards – their Weet-Bix Kids Tryathlon medals.

“Mum’s still got all the medals and the photos,” says Chelsea, 28. “We did five Tryathlons when we were kids and she’s kept it all.”

It’s the Kiwi-est of sporting starts, and for the super sisters, who grew up in the tiny town of Little River (about an hour outside of Christchurch), sport has been the thread that’s bound them as they pursued their own passions – with elder sister Chelsea only starting to play rugby in her early 20s!

“I think it was the weekend after my 21st birthday when I made the switch from netball,” recalls Chelsea. “Alana asked me to come along to her Lincoln University game. I was really nervous and hesitant, but I played one game and I absolutely loved it. And here we are!”

Adds proud sister Alana, 26, “She was awesome right from the get-go. I grew up playing rugby with all the boys – there weren’t many girls in our age group. I can imagine coming across into a male-dominated sport must have been daunting, but these days, it’s so different. There’s so many people backing women’s rugby now to make it so inclusive.”