Blues captain Isabelle Kelly on the three things she would tell her 12-year-old self

NSW Blues captain Isabelle Kelly penned a letter to her younger self for 9honey ahead of game 2 of of the Women’s State of Origin series which kicks off tonight.

If I could sit down with my 12-year-old self, I’d give her a big hug.

And then I’d tell her this:

1. Back yourself

At 12, I was playing every sport I could – netball, Oztag, anything that let me move.

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I wasn’t top of the class, and school was tough because I was bullied, but playing sport gave me something schoolwork didn’t – confidence, escape and a real sense of belonging.

I didn’t find Rugby League until I was 17 but when I did, it changed everything.

What I fell in love with was the contact – I loved tackling and I loved the physicality of the sport. It gave me something I didn’t even know I was missing.

Back then, there was no clear path for girls in Rugby League. I had no idea it could lead to captaining my state.

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That’s why I’d tell younger me that even if the path doesn’t exist yet, trust yourself enough to walk it anyway – keep showing up, keep doing hard things and back yourself every step of the way. You never know how far you can go.

2. Don’t just fit in, know who you are

When you’re 12, fitting in can feel like the most important thing in the world, but I wish I’d known that it’s OK to feel different and that being true to yourself, your quirks, your strengths, the things that light you up, isn’t just enough – it’s a secret weapon to happiness.

It took time for me to realise that who I was, on and off the field, didn’t need changing. That love I had for contact sport, it wasn’t something to hide, it was something to absolutely embrace.

So, if you don’t feel like you fit the mould, that’s OK. Nor did I on many occasions, but stay close to the things that make you feel strong and that’s when the magic happens.

3. Surround yourself with people who lift you up

When you’re 12, friendships feel like everything and they are, but not in the way you think. It’s not about being liked by everyone – it’s about finding people who support you, challenge you and want to see you succeed.

I’ve had coaches, teammates, and parents who believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. They encouraged me to try everything, which led me to discover what I truly loved.

That support shaped who I am today. Now, my teammates are like family – they’ve taught me that the right people don’t just stand beside you, they help you grow tall.

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There is no doubt there are still moments even now when I question myself. But every time I’ve backed myself, despite the hesitation to do so, I’ve grown stronger.

Confidence comes from being brave again, and again and again.

So, to every young girl watching State of Origin and wondering if there’s a place for you in this sometimes tricky world, there is.

You are stronger than you know, you’re allowed to take up lots of space and you already have what it takes to be a winner.

Game 2 of the Women’s State of Origin series will kick off at Allianz Stadium tonight, May 15, at 7:45pm AEST

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