Wallaroos skipper Shannon Parry is excited about a continued role in the bold new world of women’s rugby…and so is the new Mrs Shannon Hatherell. Unknown even to some teammates, Parry’s recent absence from the Queensland v NSW trial in Narrabri wasn’t all to do with recovering from ankle surgery. It was wedding day in the sun at Tweed Heads. A diamond ring is now fresh bling to go with that famous golden trinket from rugby sevens at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Parry married Newcastle’s Joel Hatherell, her partner of five years. In the fine print was the most traditional of footy clauses…the honeymoon will have to wait until the end of the season. “It was a magical day with family and friends,” Parry beamed. “Joel has always accepted me for me. And…having been a professional rugby player for so long, there are some hard things to accept because it is a different life. “Joel is my rock. I’ll play on in rugby as ‘Shannon Parry’ but it may be that I’m ‘Shannon Hatherell’ everywhere else.” Even traditional wedding vows are written like rugby’s Laws of the Game when you get to the part that reads “To have and to hold from this day forward.” That’s a penalty every day of the week. At 33, backrower Parry is excited to be part of ground-breaking shifts in the women’s game in Australia. Rugby Australia’s recent commitment of more than $2 million towards part-time contracts for Wallaroos and a minimum payment for Super W players is a game-changer on the way towards full-time professionalism in the years to come. “That was a massively significant day for women’s rugby in this country. Some thought it was still a year away,” Parry said. “Players will still be doing juggles with other income but now we have that first step towards being a powerhouse for Australia’s hosting of the 2029 Rugby World Cup (for women).” Captaining the Wallaroos to last year’s World Cup in New Zealand could have been the finish line but Parry is eager to play on. “There’s still that itch after the World Cup. We had youth and experience and a real exciting future in that squad so why not have one more crack,” Parry said. “To have the National Rugby Training Centre for women taking shape at Ballymore is another attraction. “Every time I’m at Ballymore I see the changes. To actually have a ‘home’ for the first time for women’s rugby will be such a positive (from mid-year).” Parry is optimistic she can make enough progress on her ankle to prove her fitness for the Queensland Reds’ Super W opener against the Melbourne Rebels on March 25 in Melbourne. Fellow Wallaroos Bree-Anna Cheetham, Madi Schuck, Tiarna Molloy, Annabelle Codey, Cecilia Smith and Ivania Wong join Parry in the Reds squad. Prop Nina Poletti, crisp-passing halfback Diane Hiini and outside back Sam Curtis are three recruits from New Zealand who add rugby nous. Click Here: USA Rugby Shop
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