Dancing to the Front Row with Souths

Summa Clare is quickly becoming a player to watch in women’s rugby league. Her rise to the Tarsha Gale Rabbitohs might not follow the usual path, but it’s fuelled by determination and an undeniable love for the game.

The Ankle

Currently recovering from an injury after rolling her ankle during a warm-up, Summa is staying positive and focused on her return. “They think I’ve damaged some ligaments and possibly have syndesmosis, but I’m hopeful it’s nothing too serious,” she explains. “I’ve got an MRI coming up this weekend, so we’ll see what the results say. They’re expecting three to four weeks, so I’m working hard to get back to full fitness.”

Dancing to the Front Row with Souths
“I’ve got an MRI coming up this weekend.” Summa Clare

Summa’s journey to South Sydney reflects the growing opportunities in women’s rugby league. Originally from Port Macquarie, her story began in an unexpected place—dance. “I danced for about ten years when I was younger,” Summa says. “I just couldn’t stop moving. But when my friends started playing league tag, I thought I’d give it a try. I ended up getting a few penalties for push and shove, and that’s when Mum suggested, ‘Let’s try tackle footy.’”

Our chat with Summa at Mascot Oval.

Lucky To Have Loz

From there, Summa quickly rose through the junior ranks in Port Macquarie, playing from under-14s to under-16s before getting the call to trial for the Rabbitohs’ Tarsha Gale squad. “I’m really lucky to have had a coach back home, Loz, who’s been a huge inspiration for women’s footy in Port. She’s done so much for the game,” Summa says. “Loz sent me the invite to come down, and I was fortunate enough to get selected. Now I’m here, and I’m loving it.”

Dancing to the Front Row with Souths
“Now I’m here, and I’m loving it.”

In her first season with the Rabbitohs, Summa has shown plenty of promise, particularly in the front row. “I love playing off Curly, our halfback (Kiara McGregor). She’s a real gun, and I love running off her,” she says. “I’m hoping we can make the finals this year—that’s one of my big goals. We’ve got such a solid group of girls, and I’m excited for what we can achieve together.”

Port To Sydney

The move from Port Macquarie to Sydney has been a big adjustment, but Summa is embracing the challenge. “It’s definitely a different pace, but I’ve adapted well,” she says. “I love the training and the environment here. It’s been great seeing a lot of the boys and girls from Port who’ve come down to make a name for themselves, like the Dungay siblings, Billy Sprague and Ben Geary. It’s awesome to see them doing so well.”

Dancing to the Front Row with Souths
Summa Clare from Port Macquarie.

Though she started playing rugby league a little later than most, Summa’s transition from touch football has been smooth. “Playing touch helped with my ball skills from a young age, so that was definitely an advantage,” she explains. “I also watched a lot of videos of guys like Jonathan Thurston and Billy Slater to learn the game. They were huge inspirations for me.”

With a solid work ethic and a growing confidence in her skills, Summa Clare is set to make her mark in women’s rugby league. While she’s recovering from injury for now, don’t expect her to stay off the field for long. Once she’s back, her determination and drive will keep pushing the Rabbitohs forward as they chase their finals dream.

Summa is all smiles despite her ankle injury.

Read More – From Strength to Strength: Aliyah Gordon’s Journey to the Rabbitohs

Dancing to the Front Row with Souths.

By Emanie Darwiche for Bunnies TV.

1 comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *