PALLAMALLAWA rugby league export Rhiannon Byers is home for Christmas – and she didn’t arrive empty-handed, either.

The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks second-rower, awarded the 2025 Veronica White Medal at the Dally M Awards in October, landed in Pally earlier this week with plenty of Sharks merchandise.

And she kindly donated everything to Moree United Disability Care clients and Moree families doing it tough during the festive season.

Service leader Trudie McNamara said United Disability Care’s clients were overwhelmed when Rhiannon arrived laden with Christmas gifts and goodwill.

They were kept busy trying on jerseys and windcheaters, and checking out the Sharks merchandise, all signed by Rhiannon.

NRLW star Rhiannon Byers (at front) with staff and clients of Moree United Disability Care.

“Rhiannon brought some of her Sharks merchandise to give out to our guys for Christmas presents, which is a beautiful gesture,” Trudie said.

“One of our clients, Greg, is an absolute football fanatic, and he always watches Rhiannon play,” she smiled.

“We have three residences in Moree – two houses that have 24-hour care and a set of units, which also has 24-hour care.”

The specially-equipped residences – Thalera, Boland and Tandara –  are home to 10 clients.

“Our clients live in the residences, and we have multiple staff who rotate from one residence to another,” Trudy said.

Rhiannon Byers hands out jerseys, windcheaters and Sharks merchandise to Moree United Disability Care clients.

Rhiannon, an Australian rugby sevens representative before switching to the NRL, is home for Christmas after a big year with Cronulla Sharks in the NRL women’s competition.

She has never forgotten where her sporting career started, and loves coming home and helping the local community.

Off the paddock, she is a fierce advocate for Indigenous issues and mental health.

Rhiannon is a proud Wiradjuri woman, recently engaged to Will Russell, and grew up in Pallamallawa and Moree.

She mentors hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth through Kurranulla Aboriginal Corporation and promotes cultural connection and personal growth.

“I do a lot of community work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait peoples in the Dharawal Nation, and I love giving back to the community,” Rhiannon said.

“Knowing this is my hometown, I like giving back in any way I can. There are two families I’ll be donating presents to as well, knowing it can be quite tough sometimes for people trying to put presents under the tree.

“Hopefully, this can become an annual thing, and I’m just glad I can give back where I can,” she said.

Rhiannon spearheads major wellbeing events, advocates for mental health, and actively supports grassroots female rugby league development.

She is involved with the NRLW Harvey Norman program, which provides extensive support for women’s rugby league, and the Women in League Executive Mentoring and Internship programs.

“I invited one girl from the Greater Western Challenge this year to come to the Harvey Norman trial, which she did,” Rhiannon said.

“I’ll always try and help out as much as I can to give players the opportunity to pursue a career in rugby league.”

On the paddock, Rhiannon said her 2025 footy season was tough.

“I had a lot of niggling injuries, but with that I found a little bit more resilience and getting involved with the community really helped me get back on the footy field,” she said.

“I’m training nearly six days a week, and getting myself as fit as I possibly can for the 2026 season.”

Rhiannon played in the 2024 NRLW grand-final against Sydney Roosters – narrowly beaten 32-28. “Hopefully, next season will put another shiny ring on my finger – I just got engaged, so it will be nice to have another ‘blingy’ ring on another finger,” she laughed.

Rhiannon hopes to return home in February for the Moree Boars-hosted Greater Western Challenge, a one-day knock-out competition that has more than 900 players registered.

The knock-out, heading to its third year, brings thousands of spectators to Moree.

“If I’m not able to play, I’ll definitely be there, watching and supporting,” she said.

Words and Images: Bill Poulos