Celebrating 100 games – a landmark moment for local women in sport
MAREE Blow is the first woman to play 100 games for the Beaudesert Kingfishers.
The Reserve Grade Women’s Coach Captain clocked up the significant milestone in front of a strong home crowd on June 14.
The career highlight was a proud moment for Beaudesert, with Blow also believed to be the first woman to play 100 games in the entire Gold Coast Rugby League competition
The Kingies didn’t win Blow’s 100th game but played their guts out for a 24-10 loss to Wynnum in what was described as a tough, gruelling and exciting match.
For her team
The real win was seeing their leader celebrated for her dedication to the game not only for herself but for her teammates, family and community.
Blow, who is 40 this year, started playing rugby league at age 32 through her little sister Naomi.
“I was happy to play one season with my sister and then she fell pregnant, so I finished the year and then had to play the second year and that’s when we won our grand final and from there I was just hooked and haven’t stopped,” she said.
“When she got pregnant, I thought, ‘nah I won’t worry about it’ but my husband Campbell said, ‘yes keep doing it, you’ll be fine’ and he’s been my biggest champion from the start.”
Blow dedicated the milestone to Naomi.
“I think I’m doing it for my sister a lot because she had a career-ending injury last year. This is as much hers as it is mine,” she said.
“She’s been there from the start, she’s got a lot of talent and she’s a much better player than me. She could have gone a lot further but unfortunately her knee is done.”
A family legacy
Blow might have only started playing league eight years ago but her history with the game is much longer than that.
She is part of four generations of her family to play for the Kingies, dating back to her grandfather Frank Blow and continuing with her son.
“I just love to play and be competitive and all my family have played there, and you make friendships along the way,” she said.
“And this year starting to mentor the juniors coming through, helping with the younger girls, is exciting and brings the love back.”
For herself
In the juggle of family life, including ferrying the kids around to tennis, netball and football, and working two jobs, footy is something just for Blow.
“It’s my time and I need it, I get out a lot of aggression,” she said.
“I love the grand finals when everyone comes together, works a little bit harder and puts up a big fight for each other – we’ve been lucky to play in three and win three.”
“This 100 games is as much about other people as it is about me. I’m only one of 20-something girls this year and we need every single one of them to show up to make it possible.”
Blow said it was a proud moment.
“I turned 40 in May so it’s taking a little longer to recover these days but it’s pretty cool to be reaching your 100 and still giving it everything.”
