Blog post: Kelsey Gentles on overcoming setbacks and finding inspiration

Guest blog post from our former sponsored rugby league player, Kelsey Gentles

Hi guys, it’s been a while since I did one of these updates and so much has happened since!

The biggest blessing of my last two years has been becoming a mum. I had a little girl, Maia - and she’s now two years old. She’s this confident, funny, fearless little character who lights up every room she walks into.

She already has such a spark for rugby, just like her mum and dad, and watching her personality grow has been the greatest joy of my life. She’s my reason, my motivation, and the calm in the chaos.

This year has brought so much happiness, but also some incredibly tough moments. A serious knee injury took me out of the game, and for a while I genuinely feared my playing days might be over.

Leaving York Valkyrie during that time was an emotional decision, but I knew deep down I needed to put my mental health first. I needed to rebuild not just my body, but my confidence and identity away from the pitch.

That time away from the pitch, as hard as it was, also opened doors I never expected. It gave me the chance to focus on my off-field projects in punditry and commentary, and I’ve honestly loved every moment of it.

Being able to stay connected to the sport in a different way helped me find my confidence again. I’m learning so much every time I put the headset on, and I genuinely love the process - the preparation, the storytelling, the challenge, the growth.

It reminded me that rugby isn’t just something I do … it’s something I’m deeply connected to in so many forms.

By August, things began to shift. I had the opportunity to sign for Huddersfield just as I was returning from injury, and I grabbed the chance with both hands.

The girls there were amazing, and stepping back onto the field after everything I’d fought through felt like breathing again.

And then came November - the moment that is still sinking in... I signed for Wigan Warriors.

Playing for one of the biggest clubs in rugby league is something I’ve dreamed of since I was young, and to achieve that after such a challenging year means more to me than words can explain.

It’s proof that resilience matters, that setbacks aren’t the end, and that sometimes the hardest battles shape you into exactly who you’re meant to become.

I’m still growing. Still learning. Still striving to be better than I was yesterday. But for the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be - on and off the field.

Here’s to the challenges that shaped me, the people who supported me, and the little girl who inspires me every single day. ❤️🏉

We first sponsored Kelsey Gentles at Castleford Tigers in 2020, when she took part in our lockdown comedy promo video 'With a T', and later at York Valkyrie.

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