Broncos winger McFarlane signs short-term deal with North Sydney Bears

London Broncos Ladies winger Beth McFarlane has reached a short-term agreement to represent North Sydney Bears – less than a year after first playing rugby league.

McFarlane jetted off to Australia at the conclusion of Broncos Ladies’ 2022 Women’s Super League South campaign to work as a water sports instructor through the off-season.

Her talent for rugby league was quickly spotted and she now trains three times weekly with the NSWRL side and will be part of squad until she returns to the UK in April.

It’s an opportunity McFarlane admits she could not refuse to be part of and hopes lessons learnt down under can benefit her game when she lines up for the Broncos next season.

“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind year,” said McFarlane. “Sophie [Messem] introduced me to the Broncos, but my season was impacted when I fractured my sternum just as we were beginning.

“I couldn’t do too much physically, then my visa to work in Australia was approved and now I’m part of the North Sydney Bears.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for me and I’m learning a lot. We have a few test matches planned over the Christmas period and then the league begins in the new year so I’m going to make the most of the time I have here to develop and learn as a player.”

Three months have passed since Broncos Ladies were last in action against Cardiff Demons in the Super League South Play-Off Grand Final.

After winning all league fixtures, Broncos Ladies agonisingly missed out on winning the Grand Final when losing to their Welsh rivals. That result has only fuelled the fire, though, and McFarlane is excited to return to the UK and work towards going one better than last season.

“I’ve had plenty of conversations with Colin [Baker, head coach] who has been great for the team,” said McFarlane. “I’ll be arriving back in the UK in late April, so we’re hopeful that will tie in nicely with the beginning of the Broncos’ 2023 campaign.

“I’ve been brought up around rugby union and there are some adjustments I’ve had to make to my game to play league effectively, which Colin and my team-mates have been helping me with. Tackling is a lot different, but the core skills and social aspect of the game are very similar.

“We were gutted to miss out on the play-offs last year but hope to go one better next time around.”