Ladies Day

Ladies Day Round – WAG Profile

Makayla Finch, Ladies Day Committee Co-ordinator

Ladies Day Saturday 29 June 2019

Tell us in 30 seconds about yourself.

I was born and bred on the Northern beaches, growing up in Newport with my parents, Sharyn and Lindsay and little sister, Brie. Surprisingly, even though my entire extended family is rugby mad, I never played! As part of a very competitive and sporty family, my passion was sailing. I spent most weekends at various Yacht Clubs training and competing and was lucky enough to race at an International level.  I am now an Occupational Therapist working in Workers Compensation and I help Hamish with the administration side of his Electrical business Fish Electrical Services.  In our down time, Hamish and I enjoy getting out of the Sydney to go 4WDing, camping and visiting the farm.

When did you start getting involved with Warringah Rugby Club?

My uncle Mark played for the Rats back in the day and my cousins Luke and Josh followed in his footsteps. My Pop is a very big Rats supporter, and because Mum often attends the games, I could confidently say that I was at Rats games since before I was born! My Dad is a Forest Rugby stalwart, so growing up, each Saturday in winter was an afternoon (and usually a night) at the Rugby Club. Needless- to- say, it was inevitable I would be involved in a Rugby club. For the last couple of years, I have helped my cousins Luke and Sarah with Rats events including presentation nights and ladies’ days as well as helping Hamish with odd jobs around the club! This year I have been managing the 4th and 5th grade teams (with a lot of guidance along the way from Hamish, Loz, Dickie & Nigel), which has been a big learning curve! But it keeps me busy!

I believe you recently became a WAG officially marrying your husband Hamish. What’s married life like? Is it everything you ever dreamt of and more?

2018 was a big year for Hamish and I. We got engaged and sold our unit in February, bought a house in April, finally settled on the house in September and got married November. We had the most amazing wedding, which was everything we ever hoped for, but for us the only thing that has changed since the wedding was my last name!

This weekend is Ladies Day, tell me WHY all the Ladies in the Club should buy their ticket and attend this event of the year.

Do ladies really need an excuse to have a Ladies Day? It’s always a great day and I think it’s nice that we get to celebrate all the women who work behind the scenes to get their partner on the field each week. It’s important for all the ladies to really feel a part of the club, and we’re raising money for One Eighty Inc. at the same time.

Buy tickets now -> https://warringahrugby.iwannaticket.com.au/event/ladies-day-MTgxNDg

So, what will you be wearing to Ladies Day?

I’m thinking fur and knits, but you will have to wait and see!

It takes a very special person to work as an Occupational Therapist. Can you please give us an insight into the type of patients you help, so they can live and work a normal life?  Is there a particular case that you feel you have a made a difference, we’d love to learn more?

Whilst I was studying Occupational Therapy, I had the most rewarding job working with people living with spinal cord injury at Sargood on Collaroy. I was lucky enough to be involved with the start-up of Sargood on Collaroy, an amazing purpose-built hotel on Collaroy Beach for people living with spinal cord injuries alongside former Rat (Player and Coach!) and Wallabies World Cup winning coach Rod McQueen. At Sargood on Collaroy I had the amazing opportunity to help people living with Spinal Cord Injuries enjoy a beach holiday whilst trying new activities such as adaptive surfing, scuba diving, golf, tennis, yoga and bike riding just to name a few.  I don’t think it gets more rewarding than helping someone get back in the surf and on a surfboard 10 years after their injury (and after 10 years of thinking it would be impossible!)

Tell us about a person that you admire at the Club. Why do you think they have made an important impact?

I couldn’t choose just one person in a club like this! It’s definitely the community behind the Rats that makes it the club that it is – a big energetic, crazy, supportive family!

Lastly, what excites you most about the remainder of the 2019 season?

I love finals footy, not only for the excitement of the games, but also because my husband gets ridiculously nervous before the games and cleans the house from top to bottom to calm his nerves. Finals footy is closely followed by Derby Day which is always great atmosphere … an amazing crowd, close games and (hopefully) a big celebration!