Round 11 of the Fortescue Women’s Premier Grade saw two incredible caps by long-time Wanneroo Divaz, Anneka Stephens and Sera Ah-Sam.
In a display of incredible dedication, talent and passion, both Wanneroo legends reached achievements in the hundreds.
Sera Ah-Sam described her journey with rugby as, “... One of the greatest and long-reaching achievements,” of her life.
Her journey with Wanneroo started alongside her sister and cousins in 2005, on the ‘Roobies’ - a team Ah-Sam shared didn’t win often, but always celebrated like they did.
“As a young mum, I thought to myself, ‘I can do this.’ From then on, I was hooked.”
What started as something fun developed into a serious passion, particularly with the arrival of the Divaz in 2010, which helped start and develop the competitive space within women’s rugby in Western Australia.
The Divaz was where hard work and determination bred a ‘never-give-up' attitude and gave her the confidence to strive for more, Ah-Sam said.
“My experience playing for Wanneroo was very competitive. “I had to work hard, and work hard to be a team player... To earn my spot if I wanted it, I had to be better and own my position.”
“Everything at training had to be at 110%, no excuses. I was taught that nothing gets handed to you.”
“Coaches I’ve had from the start until now have given me the belief and courage to strive to be the best version of myself,” Ah-Sam said. “I’ve also made lifelong friendships and a sisterhood which have shaped me into the person I am today.”
Wanting to reach new heights and challenge herself, Ah-Sam started pursuing representative and professional paths, first representing Western Australia in a 2018 state game against Japan, before entering the Western Force’s inaugural SuperW squad.
“It wasn’t easy,” Ah-Sam shared. “I had to work hard to get to where I am today.”
In 2019, Sera’s daughter, Frieda Ah-Sam, joined the Western Force squad, becoming the Mother-Daughter duo to appear in the SuperW.
“In all my rugby life, I never thought I would be playing alongside with my daughter Frieda... This is an amazing achievement, knowing the platform and foundation that I had set that inspired my daughter to play rugby, and to still be playing alongside me at Wanneroo is surreal.”
This accomplishment, breaking down barriers and inspiring her daughter to play at a high level, is one of Sera’s greatest achievements in the sport – in addition to coaching and inspiring the younger generations coming through at Wanneroo.
“My greatest achievement with Wanneroo Rugby Union Club is being able to grow and coach young rugby players.”
“This was challenging, but a good challenge. The respect and the determination to learn from these young players made it easy for me to coach them. I hope I have made an impact in these kids' lives and I’m so grateful that I was able to give back to them and see them shine, to see them achieve their goals.”
“As seasons go by and a new generation appears, I have started to implement my experience and life lessons of raw, thick skinned mental toughness towards my children and in coaching.
“Being part of Wanneroo, my family and I have a lot to be grateful for. We are not just rugby players - we are a community, that is a family-orientated, safe place and a place to call our home.
“The truest testament is... to see my children have love for the game as I do.”
In Round 11, Sera played her 200th game for Wanneroo. An emotional moment, she shared that it was overwhelming to receive such a monumental milestone after nearly two decades playing for the club.
“You never know how far loyalty and hard work can take you, and the sweat and tears I had to take to get here. I started this foundation with my family and my OGs,” who she shared, will know who they are, “...and have never doubted or forgotten where I came from.”
“The sacrifices behind the scenes I had to make to play and to be committed to this sport is far beyond imaginable. I am so grateful to have crossed paths with all my coaches and teammates,” Ah-Sam said, describing her teammates as sisters.
"[I am] Grateful and honoured to receive this. These 200 games were worth every bit of my journey. Big Heart, Will power to do anything. Don’t give up.”
Sera would like to thank her Husband and children for being with her throughout this journey, sharing that she wouldn’t have reached the milestone without them.
Her advice to future generations of rugby legends?
“Go Be Great - wherever your journey takes you, always remember your roots and where you started from,” she said. “Stay humble.”
Anneka Stephens also had met an incredible milestone in Round 11, joining the Hundreds club at Wanneroo with her 100th Cap for the club.
With an incredible rugby career, including representing the Cook Islands at the 2016 Rugby World Women’s Sevens Olympic Repechage Tournament, playing for the St George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL Women’s Premiership for the 2018 season, and now a member of the history-making Western Force SuperW team, Stephens’ 100th Cap at Wanneroo is yet another incredible accomplishment.
Congratulations to both Anneka and Sera for their incredible accomplishments, and for their dedication and passion to the Western Australian rugby community!
