LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
In a true tale of grassroots to glory, Natasha Penitani's journey from park football to the elite ranks of NRLW has been nothing short of remarkable.
The Wests Tigers utility now finds herself in the thick of it, trading blows with the likes of Viliame Kikau and Tui Kamikamica during a spirited session with the Fiji Bati.
Penitani's meteoric rise began after catching the eye of Wests Tigers scouts while representing Tonga in the Pacific Championships last year.
Since then, she has not only earned a coveted NRLW contract but also claimed the club's rookie of the year award.
Now, with her sister Tiana donning the green and gold for the Jillaroos, Penitani finds herself shouldering the co-captaincy duties alongside Sharks powerhouse Vanessa Foliaki for the upcoming World Cup qualifier showdown against Samoa at Suva's HFC Stadium.
It's a testament to her leadership qualities and unwavering commitment to the game.
As she continues to make waves in the rugby league world, Penitani's story serves as a reminder of the resilience and determination that define true champions.
With each tackle and try, she epitomizes the spirit of the game and embodies the ethos of never giving up on your dreams.
The future looks bright for this rising star from the Wests Tigers stable.