From Warwick to the Maroons: Jo opens up on pathway recognition

Jo Barrett doesn’t recall life without rugby league.

The game has given her endless memories, and continues to bring her family together.

From the positive encouragement shared by her proud parents when she played her first game, to the constant support from her siblings, cousins, uncles and aunties, the Warwick-raised Queensland rugby league legend is forever grateful for her rugby league journey.

And even though she’s now hung up the boots, it’s a remarkable journey that is showing no signs of slowing down.

A passionate advocate for the continued growth of the women’s game, Barrett remains actively involved in rugby league as a FOX Sports commentator and through her role on the QRL Football Committee, where she helps shape the future direction of the game across Queensland.

Ironically, it was a fellow member of the Football Committee – the QRL’s Glenn Ottaway – who delivered a phone call that Barrett will never forget.

Ottaway had the pleasure of informing Barrett that the Under 17 competition will now be known as the Jo Barrett Premiership, presented by Westpac.

Barrett was at first “shocked and humbled” and fired back: “This is for people like Karyn Murphy.”

Now that she’s had more time to process the news, the former Queensland forward understands – and deeply appreciates – why her name was put forward and endorsed by the QRL History Committee and QRL Board.

“The bigger picture is I think it's a nod to everyone who has been involved in the era of when I played, for all the young kids that didn't even have a disjointed pathway, or just didn't even play,” Barrett said.

“And that's where I feel a bit more comfortable in the space. When Glenn mentioned Jenni-Sue having the other competition (Under 19 Jenni-Sue Hoepper Premiership). I’m so thrilled for her.

“And I think, yeah, it's a real indicator of where the sport is at. I'm so passionate about women and girls being involved in any sport, and so to have those opportunities more available to more girls and families is just so special and so important. So yeah, it's such a privilege and it's quite amazing.”

Barrett is talking to the QRL content and media team from her home town of Warwick, where many special memories were made on local footy fields.

“I don't remember life without rugby league in it growing up here in Warwick,” she said.

“It was just a huge part of dinner table conversations; it was on the radio, we watched it on TV. My brother played, my father played, all my uncles played.

“It’s a huge part of our back story. Sport is a bit of a theme to my childhood, both my parents loved sport, and my older brother and sister and I were very active here in the community, but I never actually played rugby league until a one-off fundraising game.”

Over time, Barrett formed some incredible friendships with players like former Toowoomba Fillies teammate Sam Bliss, while putting her body on the line in some tough contests alongside the likes of Renae Kunst, Heather Ballinger, Karyn Murphy and Tahnee Norris.

Like many players, Barrett went through her share of ups and downs while playing the game she loves.

But through it all, she wouldn’t change a thing, and credits rugby league with building character.

“I think definitely resilience is a big one,” the former Queensland forward said.

“I had some really big injuries, quite a bit. Which I know when we get together as retired teammates it's funny; like they're funny stories, like me breaking a leg in Samoa and limping on it for a week.

“But it was really hard, and it was lonely, and when you're taken out of those situations because of injury, in an environment where all the support wasn't available, you really had to dig deep to come back from that.

“And I think that really set me up for so many things in my life outside of sport, and in my career, and in education, and in my personal life. That I had the support around me that you probably don't realise when you're in your late teens, early 20s, and that I did have the capacity to get through things.”

So what is Barrett’s message for a young girl with her sights set on playing rugby league and making it through to the Jo Barrett Premiership and beyond?

“Well, I would say to any girl that's interested, ‘absolutely give it a go’,” The Nudgee College teacher said.

“Be prepared that it won't all come easily and you won't be the best player straight away, if ever.

“If you've got your sights set too much on the next rep team, I think you'll lose sight of developing yourself as an athlete as well.

“So it's just go and have fun. Personally, I found the fitter I was, the more I enjoyed it. So (it’s) your choice on how you approach that, but it is a really challenging sport and the fitter you are, the better chance you've got of going well.

“Have fun, (and) don't take it too seriously, too soon. Like the pathways are there for a reason, and if you're not making every rep team straight away, it doesn't mean you don't have a future in the game.”