Motherhood and milestones: Broughton's 'greatest achievement'

When Gayle Broughton runs out for the Broncos against her former Eels team-mates on Saturday, she’ll mark a major achievement and milestone - her 30th NRLW game.

But the 29-year-old Kiwi superstar’s greatest achievement of all happened two months ago when she became a mum for the first time.

While Broughton has conquered some of sports' biggest stages - from winning Olympic gold to game breaking NRLW performances and representing the Kiwi Ferns - nothing has come close to the moment she welcomed son Eastyn into the world.

“I’ve won a gold medal, Olympics, Commonwealth Games, all that stuff—but man, nothing compares to watching my child come into this earth. Being able to catch him was probably the coolest part of my story.” Broughton said.

Now with her baby boy just 10 weeks old and back in New Zealand for a family visit, Broughton is juggling the emotional highs and lows of motherhood while still performing at the highest level in the NRLW.

“I’m trying to remember the last time I wasn’t tired. The first question I asked my mum was, how did she do this nine times? I don’t know how the hell she did it.” Broughton said. “But he is the biggest blessing.

"Talking to other mums and parents, they always said that your child will give you a different level of love, and I was kind of like, yeah, I’m going to love him, but now ... there is nothing in this world I wouldn’t do for him.”

“I just honestly miss him so much. So much.”

Broughton is not only one of the NRLW’s most watchable players, but her raw honesty has made her one of the game's most beloved personalities.

Since switching codes from rugby sevens, she’s injected flair, passion and a deep respect for the opportunity the game has given her.

“I actually grew up playing rugby league at the young age of seven," Broughton told 94ddz.com.

"Then sadly when I got to about 12 or 13 and there were no real pathways for young girls at the time, so I had to move into rugby union.

"Ten years in the black jersey and I’ve won some pretty cool accolades, but now being in the NRLW, it's a huge honour.”

After debuting with Parramatta in 2022, Broughton has found her groove in Broncos colours and is now fast approaching a significant milestone in just her fourth season.

“I didn’t even know that it was my 30th. Oh my God!” she said. “I’ve been playing this game so long, I didn’t even realise my 30th was coming up. But that’s such a cool milestone to know about.

"For me, I’m just grateful every game that I get to play; whether it’s 70 minutes, seven minutes, 20 minutes, whatever. I am just so grateful to be part of this legacy that this game will forever build on.”

Parramatta will forever hold a place in Broughton's heart after helping to open the NRLW door for her so it's fitting that she will face off against the Eels in her 30th game at Suncorp Stadium.

“I have so much privilege and honour and respect for Parramatta. They gave a young - well, I guess now old - kid the chance to accomplish a dream.” Broughton said.

“They’ve got some great players like Rachel Pearson in the halves, the Cherrington sisters [Kennedy and Rueben] in the middle and threats all over the park.”

As the NRLW continues to grow, Broughton, who came from a full-time environment with sevens, says the competition is just scratching the surface of its potential.

“The scary thing is that it’s not even full-time yet," she said.

"Coming from a sevens program, that was all we did, we played, we travelled, we trained every day. I can’t wait for these girls to experience that because it’s a dream.

“Girls like Tamika Upton, Romy Teitzel, Ali Brigginshaw, Simaima Taufa ... who’s been there since the very beginning, they know how much work it took to get this game to where it is now.

"I came in at a really good time, just trying to find that fire again. NRLW was knocking and I had to be part of it.”

For now, Broughton balances milestones, motherhood, and momentum. And while the games keep coming, one tiny fan in New Zealand remains front of mind.

“He’s only just over two months old, and I think he’s eaten another child because he’s that big. Whatever breast milk my partner is giving him needs to chill out a little bit," Broughton laughed.

Motherhood has changed everything and given her purpose beyond the game.

“It’s probably one of the biggest honours I carry. I love him so much," Broughton said.