Black Ferns and Chiefs star Chelsea Alley has revealed the extent of her struggles as a women in rugby in an emotional social media post.
Chelsea Alley on the break against the NZ Barbarians in November last year. Photo: Photosport
After taking part in the first ever women's Super Rugby match between the Chiefs and the Blues, Alley has opened the lid on the harsh realities of being a women in rugby.
The 28-year-old took to Instagram to express her frustrations and offer insight into how far women's rugby has to go after the one-off Super Rugby match was dubbed a landmark occasion for women's rugby.
Photo: Instagram
"Over the last 10 years I've been a club, FPC, NZ & now a Super Rugby representative I've become accustomed to this feeling. It's a glimmer of what we train so hard for - to play on a big stage, in a massive game & represent yourself, your family, friends & community."
"There's media exposure, interviews, hype, support, crowds, fans & celebrations.. all of that stuff in the week leading up. It feels amazing to be doing this with your teammates."
"Then from Monday morning that all starts to fade. Reality hits again."
Alley said balancing the workload required of a semi-professional rugby player and having to juggle three jobs to pay the bills has led to her coming close to burn out mentally.
"It's setting early alarms and getting up at 5.30am to get your training in before you go to work for the day (still sore from the weekend), finding time to prepare meals because you know you'll also be getting home well past dark 4+ nights a week from your various evening team trainings, rushing to a physio appt in your lunch break, squeezing in time to see your partner & family in short bursts where you can so you try not to burn out mentally and add a little bit of balance to your crazy life.
"For me personally this week - it's working THREE jobs because I have bills to pay. It's playing in THREE different teams in a week and being expected to switch on & perform well in all of them. I need to lead by example in Club, FPC & Super Rugby - all of these teams we don't get paid anything AT ALL to play for."
Despite the lack of resources afforded to the women's game, players are still expected to peform both on and off the field.
"We get minimum resources. Thats normal. We train hard morning & night because we know there is massive pressure & expectation for us to be the best. To be fitter, faster & stronger than any other player in the country & in the world. We do it because we [love] the game. But I'm wondering at what point does the level we've got to become personally unsustainable with the resources we're given?
"Women's rugby has definitely come a long long way.. I am proud to play a small role in its growth over the years … But behind the scenes - I believe there is still a heck of a long way to go."
Chelsea Alley celebrates the Chiefs win over the Blues in the historic first women's Super Rugby game. Photo: Photosport
The Black Ferns second-five explained her post was not intended to act as a complaint but merely as a reflection of the everyday struggles women face in today's game.
"I fully understand that I've been lucky enough to be chosen to be a semi-professional womens rugby player.. something trailblazers before me worked so hard for! For us to reap some of these rewards and for these mana wāhine I am honestly forever thankful! But I am starting to feel the weight of this crazy, blessed, hectic, HARD yet rewarding life a decade later.
"This is not a complaint. This is just reality. This is why I will keep fighting for us so that future FPC, Super Rugby & Black Ferns stars have an actual sustainable career. We can't settle because if the amazing ladies before us settled we wouldn't be where we are today.
"I am grateful. But in all honesty - I'm also tired of being told to 'just be grateful'. When do we get to stand up & say that we deserve more without being made to feel like we're demanding & unappreciative?"
Following her social media post fellow New Zealand rugby players have thrown their support behind Alley including All Black Ardie Savea, Black Ferns Sevens star Tyla Nathan-Wong and former-All Black Israel Dagg.
NZ Rugby announced in 2018 that 30 of the country's top women's players would receive contracts worth up to $45,000 per year.
-RNZ