Looking to play her second finals series in the calendar year, Illawarra Steelers Lock Sienna Yeo continues to extend the Yeo family legacy by paving her own path in the rugby league world.
Making her Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership debut with the Illawarra Steelers in July 2024, Sienna has remained an integral part of Jamie Szczerbanik’s side having not left the starting 17 since her induction in Round 2 of the competition. Whether that is coming off the bench or starting in the 13 jersey Sienna says she’s happy to do whatever is required for the team.
“I played in the halves then this year I got swapped into the 13 [lock] position,” Yeo said.
“I’m happy to play anywhere if it means I’m around the girls.”
But it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Yeo. Coming off the back of a stellar Tarsha Gale Premiership winning season, Yeo received the phone call to put the sky blue jersey on for her state at the U/19’s Girls State of Origin. Despite this Yeo never got to live this experience after being struck down with Glandular Fever, something she says was heartbreaking at the time.
“The day before going into camp at 4pm, I got a call from my doctor saying that my test results came back that I had Glandular Fever.”
“I cried actually.”
Although being able to visit the NSW Rugby League Centre of Excellence later that week to observe training, Yeo insists it’s a level of Rugby League she wishes to play at some point in her career.
Another element of Yeo’s life away from footy is her pursuit of becoming a qualified teacher in Physical Education. This is something Yeo remains passionate about in conjunction with her Rugby League career.
“I have to organise study time with sport, waking up early to watch pre-lecture (content) before actually going into the lecture.”
“With the season starting up, I’ve had to fit in and organise my schedule a lot more this semester a lot more than I have previously.”
