Moana Courtenay embodies true dedication.
As the pre-season approaches, she's made the tough choice to leave her son in New Zealand, focusing on her NRLW aspirations with the Bulldogs.
This 26-year-old single mother is wholly committed to her career, seeking a better life for her family through this sacrifice.
Earlier this year, Courtenay moved to Australia to participate in voluntary NRLW training sessions ahead of the official pre-season beginning in May.
However, this meant leaving behind her six-year-old son, Mana'ia, with her parents, Kei and Jay, in Matakana, a town close to Auckland.
While daily FaceTime calls help bridge the distance, they cannot alleviate the emotional pain of separation.