The First Tackle

Daniella Murphy has one dream: to be a superstar rugby league player. Unfortunately, her Dad and Grandma aren’t too keen on their little girl playing tackle football. They don’t want her to get hurt—in their minds, rugby league is just too dangerous for a young lady like Danni. 

One afternoon, while Danni is watching her older brother Jimmy train with his club, she spies something unthinkable—there’s a girl training out on the field! Danni is inspired, having never even heard of girls playing footy before, and decides she is going to follow her dream: someday, somehow, she is going to play rugby league.

The next week, Danni trains with Jimmy in secret and finally tells Dad and Grandma about her dream, but they simply don’t respond. Then Danni gets the chance to play a game with the boys from her grade, makes a bad tackle and ends up in hospital with a concussion. That settles it for her Dad—no more rugby for Danni, period! 

Devastated, Danni worries that her dream has been crushed forever. But with Jimmy’s help, she eventually helps Dad and Grandma see that, while rugby league CAN be dangerous, that doesn’t mean that she, or any other girl, should be excluded or treated any differently from the boys. 

Danni is able to join the club team, and is soon well on her way to becoming the next rugby league superstar!

This authentically Australian story sets a wonderful example of equality for younger readers, providing a refreshing new addition to the sport story genre. Danni is a fun, well-written character, and it’s very heart-warming seeing her family grow in their opinions and views, and eventually come together to love and support Danni in her dreams. The story showcases the importance of treating people equally, both in sport and in everyday life.

Rugby League, sport, girls in sport, equality, following your dreams, family

Minor references to Danni’s friend Bethany having a crush on Danni’s teammate Tyrone but nothing further, and this has no impact on the plot (p. 21, 64-65).