Steve and Dara Byford can be proud of their children, Molly and Ronan.

Molly has signed a scholarship to play rugby in the United States, while Ronan is plying his trade in rugby league with a Warriors junior side.
Both children have always been sporty and, raised on a farm, they have had plenty of outdoor activity.
Molly, 18, is looking forward to living in the US and playing rugby.

“I’m so excited for this opportunity, especially considering I wasn’t even aware that it was an option until early last year,” she said.

“I was just coming back from an ACL [anterior cruciate ligament] injury and then re-injuring it again in the second game of the season last year, which was devastating as I never thought it would happen to me.

“Yet the opportunity was still there, so there was no way I could not go. It’s honestly been a big factor in helping me get through rehabbing my ACL for the second time.

“I’m also excited as I get to go to university, which was always what I was going to do after school, while playing rugby and getting overseas experience.”

It’s something completely outside her comfort zone.

“I’m expecting to grow physically and mentally as both a player and an individual. Whilst also making loads of new friends and connections. I’m also hoping to be a competitive player in the D1 league, with the overall end goal to play professionally in either rugby and/or league.
“I’m studying accounting, which is a four-year degree.”

The opportunity came about through a conversation with former professional rugby coach David Mays.

“I was approached by him at school, and he connected me with an agency called Platform Sports Management, and ASM, which help students get to the US.

“It was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down … The facilities they have to offer over there are far more advanced than what we have in New Zealand, and it is also more of a chance to use this as an experience. Not everyone can say that they will play D1 college sport.”

She said last season was difficult with her second successive ACL injury.

“It wasn’t the best, to say the least. Mentally and physically, the past three years have been up and down with lots of lows and a few highs; considering I’ve had two ACL surgeries by the age of 17 is tough.”
Molly is grateful to her teammates and coaches at Poroporo who continually check in to make sure she is okay.
“Going into this season, I am mentally and physically ready.”

Byford hopes to have a strong season back home before heading to the US later in the year.

“I go over mid-August as their school year starts at the beginning of September, but they like to get the athletes in earlier to get their bearings. In the meantime, my focus is making as much money as I can, making it through the whole club season playing for Poroporo before I leave and getting as fit as I can.”
She has been selected to play as a hooker, but is equally at home in any of the loose forward positions.

“I’m off to New York, which is super exciting as it’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to go since I was a little kid, and I have no idea why now I get to live there for four years as an 18-year-old. Long Island University has two campuses, one in Brooklyn and the other one, which is where I'm based, is on Long Island and it’s about 30 minutes from the city.”

She’s also incredibly thankful to her mum and dad, who have sacrificed a lot to help her get to where she is.

“I also want to say the biggest thank you to my parents because without them none of this would be possible, from all the driving of both me and my brother to training in the middle of nowhere, to waiting around late at night for us to finish. Without this we wouldn’t be doing the things which we are doing today.”

Meanwhile, her brother Ronan is making waves in the Warriors’ Harold Matthews side that competes against teams across Australia.

“I’ve enjoyed the move to Auckland very much the past year,” said Ronan. “It’s helped me develop very much as a player and being in an environment where everybody is there to give their best has pushed me to be a lot better. Playing league in Auckland is a lot different to what I was used to; it’s faster, more physical, and a lot more competitive.”

He wasn’t allowed to play rugby last year, but this year hopes to give it a good crack at Mount Albert Grammar.

“From playing union since I was a young kid, not playing at all last year was different for me. I didn’t miss it at all but am very excited to give 1A a good go this year for MAGS.”

Ronan has set himself a couple of lofty goals for the season.
“I want to play all games in the Harold Matthews Cup for the Warriors and get a starting spot in the 1A rugby team for school.”

He has loved the opportunity he’s been given with the Warriors so far.

“It’s been an unreal experience; it has helped me to develop to another level and has also opened my eyes to what it takes to be the best I can possibly be. Having the right coaching staff around you, who are willing to help you improve, makes it a little bit easier.”

He is enjoying the physicality of rugby league.

“I feel league is a lot more physical than rugby, I enjoy the one-on-one contact and being able to really probe on defence is something I love.

Ronan is part of the leadership team in the Harold Matthews squad, which is going well so far.

“I expect our team to go well again this year. We have a very solid squad with a lot of depth in each position. I am hoping we make finals again this year as it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me.”