Jayme proves it's the size of the fight in the 'Mad Dog' that counts

In the latest instalment in our special 'Telstra Hersday' series on the stars of the women's game, pan66.com talks to Roosters flyer Jayme Fressard about overcoming tough times as a teenager to make her mark at three NRLW clubs and savour premiership glory along the journey.

Jayme Fressard knows first-hand that with a hard-working attitude and the right support around you, anything is possible. 

When the Roosters winger isn't on the footy field or the training paddock, you’ll find her at Gorokan High School working as a youth development mentor for kids who, like her, find the going tough in the classroom.

The player affectionately dubbed 'Mad Dog' by her coach never thought being expelled in Year 10 would become a turning point in her life but moving schools marked a new beginning for the Central Coast girl who found it easier to pick up a ball than a book. 

“I never really had my head screwed on 100 per cent at school,” Fressard told pan66.com as part of the 'Hersday' series.

“So I had a bit of trouble in school and actually got expelled and then made the switch to Gorokan High, which ended up changing my life.

“They were really supportive about female sport and really pushed me to get more involved in sport.

“So I ended up putting my head down a bit at school and completed Year 12 but also on the way I got to represent my country playing rugby union for Australia at the Commonwealth Games.

I just had a really good support network at that school and a few teachers that saw the potential I had outside the classroom and in sport

Jayme Fressard

“I had teachers driving me to Sydney to trial for different teams and I think that had a massive impact on me because I had people that actually believed in me and wanted to see me succeed.”

As one of four kids raised by a single mother, Fressard said when life felt a little bit tough at home, the sporting field is where she found her solace.

“We never had anything given to us even growing up, we lived pay cheque to pay cheque,” said Fressard, who represented the Central Coast Mariners and Australian Rugby Sevens before switching to rugby league with the Broncos.

“We didn't have the fancy things or the nicest clothes so for us it was about working hard and believing in yourself.

“I feel like now that I've worked so hard to get where I am, I try to cherish every single moment I can.

“And if I can give my support to others that might need it, that's what I want to do and I think that comes from not having things handed to me.

“By running the programs I do, it gives kids extra motivation to come to school, breaks up their workday and even minimises some of their behaviour issues.”

Standing 158cm tall, the fleet-footed winger has a heart that has seen her go toe-to-toe with some of the most intimidating players in the NRLW - hence the nickname handed to her by Roosters coach John Strange.

“I might be a small little player, but I'm definitely strong, and I'm definitely quick, so that name is Strangey’s way of telling me how much he loves how aggressive and strong I am out there,” she said.

“I think it's just a mindset and a heart thing. For the last 10 years I've played contact sport and I've played with a lot of these girls growing up.

“Some of the girls are a lot bigger than me but I know deep down I'm a hard worker and I've always been a hard worker, so to me, it's just getting in there and backing myself.

“I also think it comes down to mindset and just believing that you've done the hard yards and deserve to be here.

“I always say that hard work will beat natural talent when talent doesn't work hard.”

Having just completed her diploma in Community Services, Fressard hopes to continue to support the next generation of aspiring athletes long after she hangs up the boots.

“I've been working with my two jobs for the past six years, so I feel like once I finish my footy career, I'll actually be able to commit to that full-time and give that more hours than I can at the moment with footy," she said.

“It will be good one day to give more time and effort to that and maybe even start my own small businesses running programs one day.

“Growing up, I didn't really know any female athletes, not just in football but even soccer or any team sports to look up to.

“And in high schools that's where a lot of people drop out of playing sports, particularly females.

“To be able to pave the way for the younger generation coming through now, it's so exciting for girls to have people to look up to in their sport and know that there are pathways in place now where they can pursue that in and after school.

“If I didn’t have sport or that support when I was at school, I have no idea where I’d be today so I am really passionate about creating opportunities for high school students that might feel like that dream isn’t possible.”