In the first edition of our new Insider series, we learn more about Wests Tigers new Community Engagement Officer, Botille Vette-Welsh.
Insider series: Get to know Bo
She talks about her upbringing, the origins of her name, and a couple of former schoolmates who now play in our NRL team.
It’s quite a story this one. Inspiring. Unique. Uplifting.
Botille Vette Welsh only knows of one other person named Botille. That was her great-great-grandmother, who moved from Denmark to New Zealand with seven young children, and another on the way.
Not long after arriving in New Zealand, her husband died in a tree-lopping incident, leaving her to raise eight kids by herself in a foreign land.
Botille Vette-Welsh is the youngest of four children, and the only girl. Her parents named her after her stoic great-great-grandmother to ‘give her strength’ she says for the ‘rough and tough stuff that would hit me’.
Bo was born and raised in Taipa, New Zealand, a small settlement on the southern side of Doubtless Bay in Northland. When we say small, we mean small. Last count it had a population of 159, an increase of 24 people (17.8%) since the 2013 census.
As a young girl Botille displayed immense athletic ability. Only trouble was, it was a five-hour drive to a proper athletics track.
Long story short, when Botille was 14 years of age, her parents decided to relocate to Australia to give her and her brothers better opportunities.
Her natural talent and passion to succeed would see Botille build an impressive sporting resume.
She’s represented New Zealand in Touch and Athletics, played Rugby 7’s and Rugby 10’s for NSW, and has gone on to become one of the most recognisable names in women’s rugby league.
Botille is on the road to recovery after a season-ending knee injury playing for Parramatta Eels in the NRLW this year.
She says she can’t wait to start playing again, but in the meantime, is loving her new job at Wests Tigers.
“Being a part of the Community team at the club is a real eye-opener,’ she said.
It’s super rewarding, it warms my heart and I love giving something back to the community.”
Botille Vette-Welsh
