Queensland hooker Lily Kolc inspired by her pa

Rugby league is in hooker Lily-Rose Kolc’s blood.

“I have always wanted to play,” Kolc said, adding she was inspired by her pa John Kolc.

“It’s in my family… my pa played for Parramatta, he represented Australia, and my dad played.

“My pa was one of the smallest players to play rugby league and represent Australia… he had a lot of dedication… he got told he wasn't going make it, like a lot of small players, so he’s very inspiring.”

The 18-year-old, who was a star performer for the Queensland Rubys at the Harvey Norman Women’s National Championships, said put simply, rugby league had always been in her life and she couldn’t imagine life any other way.

“Rugby league was really important to my family, so became really important to me,” Kolc said.

“I’ve watched it my whole life and always wanted to give it a go.”

Kolc first played rugby league aged 14 at Burleigh Bears and has gone through the ranks at the Bears including Harvey Norman Under 19s and BMD Premiership; Kolc was part of Burleigh’s premiership-winning BMD Premiership side this year.

The teenager said she was “very excited” to make the Queensland Under 19 side for a second year – despite her entire family barracking for New South Wales - and looked forward to ripping in.

“It’s obviously my last year of being able to play here so I really want to make the most of it,” Kolc said.

“To represent my state again, I’m so happy.

“My family are all Blues supporters but I’ve lived here for 10 years, I’ve spent all my footy career here… I found it really hard last year to embrace the Queensland culture because I've been in a very Blues family, a family full of strong Blues supporters.  

“But this year I’m really taking it on, and coming through with Burleigh girls who are all Queenslanders, they really encouraged me and I really understand what it means to wear the maroon jersey and the pride.

“I am a Queenslander.”

Kolc, currently with the Gold Coast Titans on a development contract, said her dream was to make her NRLW debut.

“I’m hoping to stay there and hopefully debut where I've spent most of my life,” Kolc said.

“And to represent my state at the next level, which is the highest, the pinnacle of the game at the moment, is the dream.

“And then if the country comes after that.”

The Marymount College graduate said Queensland Under 19 coach Deanna Turner told her to back herself.

Turner said Kolc was “a quiet achiever”.

“She just plays above her weight… she punches way above her weight,” Turner said.

“There’s never a moment where I feel like she would let the team down. She’s just consistent and not scared to take on the big girls.”