Bay Harbour: March 30, 2022
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Wednesday <strong>March</strong> <strong>30</strong> <strong>2022</strong> <strong>Bay</strong> <strong>Harbour</strong> News 17<br />
Little River sisters going big<br />
on the national stage<br />
For the Bremner sisters Alana and Chelsea, the last<br />
few weeks have been a whirlwind experience. Fresh<br />
from earning <strong>2022</strong> Black Ferns contracts, the two<br />
sisters were also a part of the inaugural Matatū squad<br />
for Super Rugby Aupiki, with younger sister Alana<br />
captaining the side. The Bremners, who grew up in<br />
Little River, have certainly carved an outstanding path<br />
between the two of them.<br />
However, despite being family, their journeys to<br />
playing for Canterbury, Matatū and the Black Ferns<br />
vary considerably. While Alana played junior rugby for<br />
Banks Peninsula, Chelsea played netball as a junior for<br />
Tai Tapu Netball Club.<br />
“We were really lucky growing up as Mum would load<br />
us all in the car to give any sport a go that we wanted<br />
to try.” Chelsea said. She never quite tried rugby as a<br />
junior however, beginning her rugby journey in 2016,<br />
encouraged by Alana to come along to one of Lincoln<br />
University’s first women’s training sessions to help fill<br />
the numbers.<br />
“I went along to training one day because Lincoln University had<br />
just started a team and they were short on numbers, so Alana<br />
convinced me to come along. I went along to my first training and<br />
absolutely loved it!”<br />
Despite the unconventional start to her<br />
rugby career, Chelsea has gone from<br />
strength to strength. “I was really lucky<br />
to be picked up by Canterbury Rugby<br />
and they obviously saw some potential<br />
in me.” said Chelsea. “Another thing is I<br />
have had amazing coaches, which has<br />
really helped.”<br />
Since that first training session in<br />
2016, Chelsea has continued to push<br />
herself through the rugby pathways,<br />
from joining the Canterbury Women’s<br />
High Performance Academy, becoming<br />
a mainstay in the Canterbury Farah<br />
Palmer Cup forward pack and starting<br />
all three Games of the inaugural Matatū<br />
Super Rugby Aupiki campaign. <strong>2022</strong> is<br />
set to be a big year as Chelsea looks to<br />
cement a spot in the Black Ferns World<br />
Cup squad.<br />
“I’m really excited (for the <strong>2022</strong><br />
season), we’ve got a few Black Ferns<br />
camps coming up so it’s a great<br />
opportunity to back up from starting at<br />
Chelsea Bremner<br />
in action for<br />
Canterbury against<br />
Tasman in 2020.<br />
Photo: Photosport<br />
such a high level (with the introduction of Super Rugby Aupiki).”<br />
While the season poses to be a big one, Chelsea will remain<br />
connected to her Lincoln University Ewes side as they prepare for<br />
their Canstaff Premier Women’s campaign. “We’ve got a really good<br />
culture at Lincoln University, so I know us<br />
Black Ferns girls will be heading to trainings<br />
to help where we can and stay connected<br />
with the social side of the team.” said<br />
Chelsea.<br />
No matter your experience, Chelsea<br />
Bremner provides a great example that<br />
giving it a go can’t hurt, with rugby now<br />
providing experiences for her on a national<br />
and hopefully playing alongside her sister on<br />
the international stage in what is a big year<br />
for women’s rugby.<br />
Clubs throughout the region are looking for<br />
players, with registrations now open across<br />
the region for those wanting to play, coach,<br />
referee or belong this winter!<br />
Sisters Chelsea and Alana Bremner<br />
playing for the Lincoln University Ewes.
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