Player Simone Smith

[mt.wellington]

Simone Smith

​

Simone Smith (born 8 April 1993) is an Australian rugby league footballer who plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL Women's Premiership. Born in Kempsey, New South Wales and raised in Port Macquarie, Smith is of Indigenous Australian descent.

Primarily a halfback, she is an Australian and Indigenous All Stars representative.

In 2016, while playing for the Port City Breakers, Smith represented the Indigenous All Stars. In February 2017, she again represented the Indigenous All Stars.

On 5 May 2017, Smith made her Test debut for Australia, starting at halfback in a 16–4 win over New Zealand. A knee injury later in the year, which later her forced her to undergo a reconstruction, saw her miss the 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup.

In May 2019, Smith represented NSW Country at the Women's National Championships. On 26 June 2019, she signed with the Sydney Roosters NRL Women's Premiership team.

On 10 August 2019, she came off the bench and scored a try in CRL Newcastle's NSWRL Women's Premiership Grand Final win over Mounties RLFC. In Round 2 of the 2019 NRL Women's season, Smith made her debut for the Roosters in their 0–20 loss to the Brisbane Broncos.

On 22 February 2020, Smith made her third appearance for the Indigenous All Stars, starting at five-eighth in a 10–4 win over the Maori All Stars. On 18 September 2020, Smith joined the New Zealand Warriors NRLW team. In Round 1 of the 2020 NRL Women's season, she made her debut for the Warriors, scoring a try in a 14–28 loss to the Brisbane Broncos.

 

[mt.wellington]

Simone Smith: from Koori Knockout to Australian Jillaroo​

Simone Smith may have represented Australia playing footy, but she loves nothing more than representing her mob.​

"After 8 weeks sitting on the sideline gee it felt good to put the boots back on today and play some footy!" Source: Instagram / @_simonesmith
Simone Smith has already had the year of her life - and it’s only September.

Following her Player of the Match performance for the successful Women’s Indigenous All Stars campaign in February, the five-eighth was selected to make her debut for the Australian Jillaroos in May.

“It was unbelievable to be honest,” Smith said of her first national selection.
“I had to message the coach after I got the call and apologise for not sounding excited enough - I just didn’t know if I was dreaming or not.

“It was such an unreal experience, it’s not every day that you get to represent your country.”

But it was the Koori Knockout, Australia’s biggest annual rugby league competition, now in its 47th year, where Smith got her first real taste for the game.

As a member of the Dunghutti nation, Simone grew up watching her family play in the Knockout every year, and began playing in the women’s competition herself 6 years ago.

“It’s the time when all the Indigenous people from NSW catch up together - it’s just a great opportunity to have a yarn and watch some footy,”
“Really the only opportunity I got to play league was through the Knockout,” Smith reminisces.

“There weren’t many other opportunities [for girls] like there are now.”

For Smith, who commutes from Port Macquarie to play for the Newcastle Knights throughout the regular league season, the Koori Knockout is a particularly special tournament.

“I’m really big on my culture and history and I think at the end of the day, it’s more than a game for us - Indigenous people have a strong connection to rugby league.

“To see all the supporters who are really, really passionate about Indigenous cultures and players, I think that’s what makes it really special.

“I’m so happy to be a part of it.”

But the best thing, she insists, is the camaraderie of the tournament.

“It’s the time when all the Indigenous people from NSW catch up together - it’s just a great opportunity to have a yarn and watch some footy,” she says.

Smith will take the field again this weekend for the Dunghutti Jindas, who she thinks have a strong chance at the title.

“One thing I look forward to at the Knockout is identifying new girls who get picked up through the rugby league pathway that we’ve got for the All Stars now.”
“We’ve definitely got a good team on paper and if we can just all play to our strengths we’ll go well.

“In saying that, there are 24 teams in the women’s comp now so we won’t take it lightly and it’s actually good to see such strong numbers coming through.”

Smith is keen to pass on her learnings from her stint in the national side and to see the emerging talent on display at the Knockout this year.

“The amount of talent amongst the Indigenous community is unreal,” she says.

“One thing I look forward to at the Knockout is identifying new girls who get picked up through the rugby league pathway that we’ve got for the All Stars now.”

However the Knockout will be bittersweet for Simone - it’s likely to be her last tournament for a while as she contemplates surgery for a torn meniscus and faces missing the upcoming Rugby League World Cup in November.

It’s therefore lucky for Simone that she still gets to put a lot of her league teachings and skills to use as an Aboriginal Health Worker when she’s not playing.

And whilst Smith is quick to credit sporting legends such as Bo De La Cruz and her supportive family as the inspiration for her success, it’s clear that through this position she’s becoming a role model herself - something she’s very grateful for.

“I’m so fortunate to be able to set an example for the younger generation and have a positive impact on the community.”

“I’ve always grown up wanting to inspire others to chase their dreams.”

Simone Smith: from Koori Knockout to Australian Jillaroo

Simone Smith may have represented Australia playing footy, but she loves nothing more than representing her mob.

www.sbs.com.au

 

[mt.wellington]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLcGh0Ylh0E&ab_channel=TouchFootballAus​

 

[mt.wellington]

Jillaroos halfback Simone Smith travels hours to play 13-a-side rugby league​

A BIT of hard work and a lot of dedication has new Jillaroos halfback Simone Smith reaping the rewards.
FIONA BOLLEN
May 3, 2017 - 12:20PM

Smith was a standout in this year’s All Stars, and has played in the fixture for a couple of years. Pic: Adam Head

A BIT of hard work and a lot of dedication has new Jillaroos halfback Simone Smith reaping the rewards.

The Port Macquarie product has played very little 13-a-side rugby league until this year, but Friday evening will run out wearing the Australia No.7 when the Jillaroos play and Kiwi Ferns in Canberra.

Smith, who helped guide the Indigneous All Stars to their first victory with a player of the match performance in the fixture in Feburary, has been travelling to Newcastle this season.

In her home town of Port Macquarie there is only league tag — a non-contact version of rugby league.

Her commitment hasn’t gone unnoticed by Jillaroos coach Brad Donald and she’s been rewarded with her place in the starting side, forcing incumbent Maddie Studdon to the bench.

“League tag and Koori Knockout and the All Stars fixture have only been where I’ve had my 13s experience,” Smith said.

Smith has worked hard on her game to ensure she remains in the frame for national selection. Pic: Adam Head

“That’s always been a bit of a struggle for me. That’s why I think playing in the Hunter this year will put some games under my belt, increase my knowledge and get me more into the contact side of things as well.

“I’ve been training with them and started doing a bit of the nines stuff as well with the Newcastle Knights, but back home in Port (Macquarie) there’s only just league tag so I’ve taken my footy a bit more serious this year.

“I think that’s what going to help improve me as a player and I’ve had some really good coaches and the All Stars campaign was a good platform to showcase what I could.

“I’ve been trying to give myself every opportunity to put my best foot forward.”

The Jillaroos defeated the Ferns 3-0 at the Auckland Nines this and plan to use their fitness and speed to make it four from four in 2017.

Every Australian squad member has a program to follow when not in camp and the gains are starting to show.

“All the girls have been training really hard and that’s been a big thing around fitness and strength,” Smith said.

“Everyone’s reaching new levels and training really hard back in their home towns. That was proved at the Auckkland Nines.

“That will be an advantage but in saying that we still will give all the respect we can to the Ferns and hopefully it will be a good match and we can do everything that we’ve trained hard for on Friday night.”

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/swoop/jillaroos-halfback-simone-smith-travels-hours-to-play-13aside-rugby-league/news-story/b9aa60eaf1a391d7ae89af7f066dd338

 

[mt.wellington]

Simone Smith back to send friendly reminder to Blues and Jillaroos​

Alicia Newton
Thu 30 May 2019, 06:04 pm

It's been a long and treacherous road for Simone Smith but the former Jillaroos playmaker is back on the field and eyeing a NSW jumper after a dominating performance in NSW Country's 54-0 win in Burleigh on Thursday.

Smith was judged players' player by her opponents, the Australian Defence Force side, and as part of the post-game huddle was presented with an ADF jersey to acknowledge her efforts.

NSW Country star Simone Smith is presented with an ADF jersey at the Womens National Championships.©Jason O'Brien/NRL Photos

Smith has been out of the game for 18 months after finally succumbing to a knee reconstruction in 2018 but despite a hiccup to her other knee during the clash, showed no ill effects of the long-term injury to set up three tries in the big win.

The CRL Newcastle playmaker was the incumbent Jillaroos halfback leading into the 2017 World Cup triumph before her right knee was injured in a club game.

"I escaped surgery when I initially did it and chose to rehab it, I had a good physio that got me back on the field and said it was a partial tear," Smith told NRL.com.

"As time passes it happens if you aren't consistent with your rehabilitation and keep playing that other parts of your knee will go around it. I just ran out of luck and did more damage.

"It was a week before I was going to make my debut for NSW in the interstate challenge. Then I wasn't cleared to play in the World Cup.

Simone Smith in action for the Jillaroos in 2017.©NRL Photos

"I felt like I had everything going for me and it was in a World Cup year. It has been tough, it's hard mentally and it shows the resilience players must find. That was the learning experience for me.

"It's how you bounce back and put in the rehabilitation that makes it worthwhile."

The 26-year-old, who hails from Kempsey, couldn't have done her chances of an Origin debut for the Blues on June 21 any harm in game two of the Championships.

A match-up against Queensland Country looms next on Saturday, before a potential championship clash on Sunday should the side reach the final.

"It was just great to come back and play in the Country rugby league jersey," Smith said.

"Making the Jillaroos team was a great milestone to achieve and knowing I've been there before makes you want to get back there at some point.

"The Country side is the first honour I wanted to make coming back but anything that comes along this year is a bonus for me. I just want to stay injury free. We'll just wait and see."

Simone Smith back to send friendly reminder to Blues and Jillaroos

It's been a long and treacherous road for Simone Smith but the former Jillaroos playmaker is back on the field and eyeing a NSW jumper after a dominating performance in NSW Country's 54-0 win in Burleigh on Thursday.

www.nrl.com

 

[mt.wellington]

Harden & Smith added to Roosters 2019 NRLW Squad​

Wed 26 Jun 2019, 02:00 pm

The Sydney Roosters have today announced the additions of Tallisha Harden and Simone Smith to the Club’s 2019 NRL Holden Women’s Premiership squad.
Tallisha Harden represented Queensland in last Friday’s Women’s State of Origin match.

With a background in indoor volleyball and Rugby Sevens, the versatile backrower started playing rugby league in 2013.

She has since progressed to representing not only her state, but also the Indigenous All Stars, and Australian Jillaroos.

Away from rugby league, Harden is a speech pathologist at the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health.

Another new face in the Roosters’ 2019 NRLW squad is former Jillaroos and Indigenous All Stars playmaker Simone Smith.

Smith, who currently plays for CRL Newcastle in the NSW Women’s Premiership, is on the comeback trail after spending 18 months on the sideline following an ACL injury.

Smith was a standout for NSW Country at last month’s Women’s National Championships.

Sydney Roosters NRL Holden Women’s Premiership Squad (to date):

• Karina Brown
• Kirra Dibb
• Quincy Dodd
• Vanessa Foliaki
• Tallisha Harden
• Melanie Howard
• Isabelle Kelly
• Nita Maynard
• Corban McGregor
• Shanice Parker
• Ruan Sims
• Simone Smith
• Hannah Southwell
• Shontelle Stowers
• Zahara Temara
• Simaima Taufa

Harden & Smith added to Roosters 2019 NRLW Squad

The Sydney Roosters have today announced the additions of Tallisha Harden and Simone Smith to the Club’s 2019 NRL Holden Women’s Premiership squad.

www.roosters.com.au

 

[mt.wellington]

Donald announces Warriors NRLW squad​

Richard Becht
Fri 18 Sep 2020, 11:59 am

Five Kiwi Ferns headline a multi-national NRLW squad named today which also features four Jillaroos internationals and two Australian Olympic gold medal-winning rugby union sevens players.

In naming the 22-strong line-up for this year’s NRLW premiership, new Warriors coach Brad Donald has confirmed Jillaroos Kirra Dibb, Karina Brown, Tazmin Gray and Simone Smith along with sevens rugby union stars Ellia Green and Evania Pelite.

“I’m thrilled about the talent we’ve been able to secure to build around our five core Warriors players who have such made huge sacrifices to be involved in this year,” said Donald.

“It has been hectic pulling the squad together in such limited time but we have a strong group we can build here to do the Warriors proud.

“Bringing in Ellia and Evania from their sevens rugby union background is going to add a special dimension and we’re able to draw on a good base of players who know what the NRLW premiership is all about.”

Donald stressed again that the New Zealand-based contingent of Madison Bartlett, Georgia Hale, Kanyon Paul, Hilda Peters and Crystal Tamarua were critical to the culture he would be striving to create for the camp.

Also included is Tokoroa-born Shontelle Stowers, who represented the Warriors at the NRL Nines in Perth in February (scoring a long-range try in their win over the Sydney Roosters). Stowers has played rugby union for the Wallaroos and for the Australian sevens side as well as doubling in rugby league for the Roosters and New South Wales.

As well as Dibb, Brown, Gray (Kiwi Jordan Rapana’s sister), Smith, Green, Pelite and Stowers, the squad includes:

• Prime Minister’s XIII representatives Brianna Clark, Taimane Levu, Laken Paitai, Samantha Economos and Kayla Peck
• Fiji international Teaghan Hartigan
• Indigenous All-Stars Shaniah Power

Bartlett, Hale, Paul, Peters and Tamarua are set to finish their quarantine tomorrow before the whole squad assembles in Sydney on Sunday.

As well as the playing squad of 22 players, four development players have been signed: Abii Church, Tyla Gambell, Tahlia Hunter and Patricia Raikadroka.

WARRIORS SQUAD | 2020 NRLW PREMIERSHIP
STEPHANIE BALL (Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs, NSW)
MADISON BARTLETT (Richmond Roses, Auckland)
KARINA BROWN (Burleigh Bears, Qld)
BRIANNA CLARK (West Brisbane Panthers, Qld)
KIRRA DIBB (North Sydney Bears, NSW)
SAMANTHA ECONOMOS (Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs, NSW)
TAZMIN GRAY (Burleigh Bears, Qld)
ELLIA GREEN (Australian sevens rugby union)
GEORGIA HALE (Richmond Roses, Auckland)
NAOMI KARA (Wests Tigers, NSW)
TEAGHAN LAING (HARTIGAN) (Burleigh Bears, Qld)
TAIMANE LEVU (Wests Brisbane Panthers, Qld)
LAKEN PAITAI (Burleigh Bears, Qld)
KANYON PAUL (Hamilton City Tigers, Waikato)
MICHAELA (KAYLA) PECK (Wests Brisbane Panthers, Qld)
EVANIA PELITE (Australian sevens rugby union)
HILDA PETERS (Papakura Sisters, Auckland)
SHANIAH POWER (West Brisbane Panthers, Qld)
KAYLA SAUVAO (Wentworthville Magpies, NSW)
SIMONE SMITH (Newcastle, NSW)
SHONTELLE STOWERS (North Sydney Bears, NSW)
CRYSTAL TAMARUA (Richmond Roses, Auckland)

Donald announces Warriors NRLW squad

Five Kiwi Ferns, four Jillaroos and two Olympic rugby union sevens gold medallists have been named in the Warriors' 2020 NRLW squad.

www.warriors.kiwi

 

[mt.wellington]

Culturally-informed care for our patients: A new role for Simone Smith.

Simone’s new role focused on culturally informed care​

Jul 10, 2024
The Mid North Coast Local Health District has a new Aboriginal Cancer Support Coordinator.

Aboriginal Health Worker Simone Smith has taken on a 12-month pilot role to provide culturally sensitive support and advocacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients throughout their cancer journey.

Simone is also a member of the MNCLHD Commitment to Preventing Racism Working Group and takes every opportunity to close the gap in health care services and access, as well as drive workplace culture and guide staff to enhance their cultural awareness. She’s also a handy rugby league halfback, representing Australia a few years ago, but that’s another story.

“I understand the importance of culturally respectful care and ensuring that our patients feel safe, supported, and empowered,” Simone said.

“I hope to improve access to treatment and embed culturally safe healthcare for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mob on their cancer journeys.

“I help patients navigate their diagnosis and treatment, offer a supportive hand and a listening ear. This includes helping to understand medical information, coordinating care with healthcare providers, and connecting them with community resources and support services.

“I also work closely with our staff to provide the best care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, whether offering guidance on cultural considerations or helping to create a more inclusive environment.

“My goal is to ensure that each patient receives culturally informed care that respects their needs and promotes their well-being.”

Simone's new role focused on culturally informed care - Mid North Coast Local Health District

The Mid North Coast Local Health District has a new Aboriginal Cancer Support Coordinator. Aboriginal Health Worker Simone Smith has taken on a 12-month pilot role to provide culturally sensitive... Read more »

mnclhd.health.nsw.gov.au