Jessikah Reeves grew up in Brisbane with the PNG side of her family, but it has been a call-up to the Orchids that has helped her realise how much PNG has been a part of her life.
The 21-year-old forward, who was a non-playing member of the Brisbane Broncos NRLW squad for the 2021 season, was persuaded to explore representing her PNG heritage by former Brisbane Tigers club teammate, Orchid #42 Angela Watego.
Jessikah explains: “My Dad is from Rabaul and grew up there before moving to Australia. When I met Angela playing footy, she encouraged and persuaded me to become more open about my PNG heritage and helped build confidence in me to strive for an Orchids jersey to make my Dad and family proud.
“My Grandma (his mother) lives with our family and, growing up in Brisbane, I used to spend time with her and some of her PNG friends. At the time I never realised how much Tok Pisin I was learning, but when I got into camp with the Orchids this year, I couldn’t believe how much I knew already from back then.”
Despite having represented Queensland at U18 level, Jessikah says being around her PNG teammates is even more special. “It’s a different kind of love for a team when they’re all from the same place as my family.”
Source: Santos PNG Orchids