Page 53 - Rugby League World (February 2020)
P. 53

PHOTOGRAPHY: GARRY BEEVERS; SWPIX                                                WOMEN'S



           ONE GIANT LEAP





















                      We have been really successful



                      at Leeds over the last couple


           of years and for me, this move is the

           next step up to push myself.”





























            “I was training with them until I left and I couldn’t    centres, as she’s not sure she could pull off a role in
           have asked for any more from them.                        the forwards in quite the same way as she did as Leeds
            “If I don’t make it then at least I’ve tried and I       Rhinos won the League and Cup double in 2019.
           won’t be left with any regrets that I didn’t give it a go.  “I spoke with the coach and he asked me where I enjoy
            “It feels like a win-win situation for me regardless     playing and where I see myself in the side,” added Booth
           of what happens.”                                          “I played a bit at second-row with Leeds this
            Despite the enormity of the move, Booth was              season but the league I’ll be playing in has a lot of
           quick to credit a whole host of players before her for    girls from the Pacific Islands so there are some big
           making the move possible.                                 forwards involved.
            “It does mean I am the first English player to go         “I like to think I’m strong and powerful but in
           professional, but I'm quite humble so thinking about      terms of size, I’m not the biggest compared to them.
           it like that makes me feel a bit uncomfortable as I'm      “When I played at fullback at Bradford it was mainly
           not sure I'm the one that really deserves that title,”    because Bradford needed a fullback. I played there to
           added Booth.                                              help the team out rather than being a natural fullback.
            “There have been so many great players before me that     “I did enjoy playing in the centres at Leeds before
           have done so much for the game and it's a shame that      they moved me more into the middle to get me more
           it's only now that we can start getting these rewards.”   involved defensively. So I am hoping centre will be
            Having played in a host of different positions over      my spot, but I will play anywhere the team needs me.
           her career, Booth is hoping to find her feet in the        “But first I just have to impress and earn a shirt.” RLW

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