When Jayne Chan ran out at Ringrose Park on Sunday, 14 June, she did far more than make her rugby league debut. She became the first Singaporean to play in the NSWRL Women’s Premiership, one of the premier open-age competitions in world rugby league and a key pathway to the NRLW.
Making her debut on the wing against a powerhouse Illawarra Steelers side, it was a baptism of fire. For an athlete who had taken up the 13-a-side code only months earlier, simply taking the field was a historic milestone for Singaporean sport, and the culmination of an extraordinary personal journey.
A Foundation of Excellence and Resilience
Long before she switched to rugby league, Chan was a fixture in Singapore’s elite sporting landscape. Her journey began on the basketball court, where she represented Team Singapore at the U16 and U18 FIBA Asia Games.
In 2017, seeking a new challenge, she moved to rugby union, and her impact was immediate. As a key member of the national sevens squad, she became a two-time SEA Games medallist, winning silver and bronze respectively at the 2017 and 2025 SEA Games. Her ability to read the game and her explosive pace made her one of the most reliable players on the regional sevens circuit.
Her career was then put to the ultimate test when she suffered a severe ACL injury, requiring 12 months of rehabilitation before she could return to peak fitness.
“Tearing my ACL was a massive setback, but I got straight into the rehab and ensured I got my leg stronger again,” Chan said. “Some players worry about re-injuring themselves, but I was more excited because I had been out for 12 months.”
Pounding the Pavement in Sydney
Back at the top of her game, Chan began looking for a bigger stage.
“Last year, after the SEA Games, I had a little self-reflection, and I was wondering if there were any international opportunities for me to pursue,” she said. “Usually, people do that when they’re in their early 20s, and I’m no longer in my early 20s. I was just wondering, after my comeback from injury, and that I’m kind of at my peak, ‘where can I expand this with opportunities?'”
That question led her to approach the SGNRL about testing herself in the Australian system, and to a high-stakes trial with the Cronulla Sharks NRLW program. It gave her an immediate look at the intensity and tactical demands of the elite 13-a-side game. She didn’t secure a spot at Cronulla, but rather than head home, Chan spent the following weeks pounding the pavement across the Sydney rugby league scene, trialling with several clubs and refusing to let an initial “no” define her trip.
That perseverance was rewarded when she caught the eye of Wentworthville, the 2024 Minor Premiers, and earned a hard-fought contract for the 2026 season.
Evolving into an Established First-Grader
Adapting to rugby league meant learning new defensive structures and the weekly grind of the 13-a-side game, but Chan’s elite athletic background and work ethic quickly shone through.
“I struggled with the rules initially, but once I got the ball in my hands I was able to roam free and never looked back,” she said. “I love the attack side of things, but I am also quite strong for a smaller player and love to get in there and do the hard stuff in defence.”
Her debut season demanded every ounce of that resolve. After a Round 1 shoulder injury forced Jayne to the sideline, she refused to stay there – fighting her way back into the starting side by Round 6 against the Parramatta Eels and holding her spot for the rest of the season.
In total, Chan made seven appearances in her breakthrough campaign, proving she could hold her own against some of the best players in the country.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Chan’s achievements carry immense weight back home, where she stands as a beacon for the growth of women’s rugby league and a foundational pillar for the Singapore Sunbirds. For her, the move to Australia was always about more than a contract. It was about proving Singaporean athletes can compete at the highest level.
“Success comes from hard work and discipline. To be the best you must train like your life and future depend on it,” Chan said. “Singapore is only a small country, but we have some of the most competitive sportspersons in the world. Don’t be fooled by our size. We can certainly match it with the best of them.”
The SGNRL congratulates Jayne on a historic first season with the Magpies, and looks forward to watching her continue to break barriers and inspire athletes across Singapore.
