Here in Canterbury, we know that grassroots is the heart of rugby. Every man and woman who dons the red and black will have tales to tell of their days playing for their childhood club - early morning games, oranges at half time and whānau supporting them on the sidelines. Often, they’ll speak about clubrooms being a second home to their family, and how deep their families involvement would be.

The Brookers are a prime example of one of these grassroots rugby families.

Beginning in Oxford, Grace Brooker, Canterbury FPC’s second five eighth, began her ever loving rugby days at four years old. But she wasn’t the only one in her family wearing boots each weekend.

Grace’s enthusiasm over club rugby and her family’s commitment to the sport spills over, as she describes how each family member played their part.

Grace’s parents have both been coaches. Her mother, Mel, was Grace’s first coach. After Grace’s games, her mother would swap a whistle for a St Johns uniform, being a part of the St Johns team on the sideline of senior games where Grace’s Dad, Dave, played too. Rugby would continue on a Saturday for Grace too, long after her final whistle, often being ball girl if she wasn’t mastering the art of climbing trees on the grounds.

Brother Danny and sister Millie were not to be missed on the field either.

Danny is a part of the current North Canterbury representative squad which recently visited Japan.  Millie who is two years older than Grace, once played for Canterbury U18’s which Grace recalls is something her sister likes to remind her of from time to time, as only a big sister could. Grace speaks highly of her siblings, previously naming Danny as her biggest influence. Admiringly, Grace recalls stories of their high pain tolerance - on more than one occasion there has been broken bones that haven’t been realised until weeks later “they just tough through it!” Grace laughed.

It’s not only players within the family at the club though, with Grace’s Grandparents also being firm fixtures at the grounds and cheering from the sideline each week. Club rugby for Grace is “connection with those people who mean a lot. There’s a special community at every club.”

Games can be a place of nail biting tension as spectators watch from the sideline and cheer their team on, but Brooker remembers it very fondly, from a different aspect. “Country teams, they’re a really cool place to relax” says Brooker “rugby provided a place of relaxation.”

Moving a couple of times around New Zealand, Brooker joined the Christchurch Girls High School team in year 9, as well as playing netball. She moved into women’s rugby at the tender age of 14 years old, “I learned what contact was very fast, learning how to handle it as quickly!”

The family connection never stopped at grassroots for Brooker, speaking of playing in the Matatū jersey for the first time in 2022 she said it’s a “jersey that represents my family, identity, what I believe in.”

Brooker was a member of the Black Ferns XV side recently, captaining them to their 38-17 win over the Manusina XV side, continuing to foster the strong relationship her family has with their favourite code.

Written by Hannah Yates