Former captain of the Bega Chicks, Apps recently signed on with the Helensburgh Tigers full contact NSW Women’s Rugby League (NSWWRL) club. 

After signing on just this year, she made selection for the Illawarra representative side that won the NSWWRL State Cup last week. 

After two years with the Chicks league-tag squad, Apps said she had no doubts about a move to full contact. 

“I've always wanted to play full contact, there was just nothing around the area,” Apps said. 

“I've played a few games of union in the past two years but it just wasn't the same. 

“I guess you could say I followed my brothers [Ryan and Deon] in giving rugby league a go.”

From the outset at her new Illawarra-based club, Apps has been making waves. 

“It's been great, the first game I played I got man of the match and players player.

“They [Helensburgh] have been so welcoming and they’re a great bunch of girls.”

After just a few months with her new club, she was selected to play in the representative squad that competed for the State Cup. 

The Illawarra team won the final, where Apps featured heavily and she was named Most Valuable Player at the tournament. 

Apps has since been selected to represent NSW in the national rep competition and will play against Queensland for the possibility of an Australian jersey. 

Bega Chicks coach Andrew Badullovich said she was deserving of the MVP win after a stellar performance. 

“She competed outside of her skin, and played her position extremely well,” Badullovich said. 

“Kezie made the most of her opportunities when presented with the ball by scoring two tries.

“Her defence was definitely second to none with her text-book, and Apps trademarked, technique.”

News of her selection has been resonating with friends and team-mates back in Bega. 

“The club as a whole is just so proud of her efforts,” Roosters club president Garry Arkin said. 

Apps said she never hesitated to play full contact rugby league after growing up in a footy-mad household. 

“Rugby league is a huge part of my family’s life, you could say I was born with league in my blood,” Apps said. 

“When I was eight, both my brothers encouraged me to play so I did. 

“I played all the way through to under 11s then switched to hockey as that was the sport my girlfriends were playing.”

However, there are setbacks to the sport for someone living on the Far South Coast. 

“The only down side to playing full contact is the travelling side of things and I wouldn't be able to do it if it wasn't for my parents who come with me each week,” Apps said. 

“And work is very flexible with my days . 

“I would also like to thank the Bega Roosters, Kane Morgan and United Fitness Studio for helping me with my training.”

Apps said she holds the Bega Chicks dearly.

“Without the help of Andrew and Trudi Badullovich, I don't think the Chicks team would have happened.

“It's been great to see how far it's grown. 

“There is so much talent among the girls and I think we surprised some of the boys with the amount of skill women actually have.”

The prospect of full contact rugby league might be daunting for some women, but Apps said a training/education day would allay any fears and might encourage locals to give it a go. 

“I would love to see it [full contact] come in down here.

“I think if we did like an education day on learning how to tackle properly, that it might encourage more girls to play and see that it's not that scary.”