Who knew living in Eidsvold could also get you to Europe.
Nikita Kyle’s football journey began with the Little Eidsvold Eagles, where she first pulled on a jersey as a young girl. Growing up in a small rural town meant there were limited opportunities to play club football as she got older, but that never stopped her passion for the game.
Instead, Nikita made the most of every opportunity that came her way through school representative rugby league, consistently earning selection in school teams each year.
Earlier this year, she represented Wide Bay at a three-day carnival in Gladstone, competing alongside some of the region’s most talented young players.
While she wasn’t selected to progress to the next level, Nikita says the experience only strengthened her determination. “There were so many brilliant football players there,” she said. “Of course I would have loved to be selected, but it was still an amazing experience.”
Then came the surprise she never expected.
On the last day of Term 2, Nikita received a letter at school inviting her to join the Wanderers Australia International Rugby League Tour to the United Kingdom and France in 2027.
“I had to read it twice to make sure it was real,” she laughed.
“I ran home after school and told Mum and Dad straight away. They were so excited and started ringing the rest of the family to tell them.”
The invitation recognises Nikita’s talent, commitment and dedication to rugby league and will see her train with elite coaches, compete against leading clubs and representative teams, and experience international rugby league while proudly representing Australia.
For the aspiring footballer, the opportunity is about much more than the game itself.
“I’ve never left Queensland before,” Nikita said.
“The furthest I’ve travelled is Cairns, so getting to go to another country is crazy. I’m really looking forward to travelling, seeing the world, meeting new people and learning new things while doing what I love most—playing footy.”
She also hopes her story encourages other young people living in regional communities to believe in themselves.
“I guess you’re capable of more than you think,” she said.
“I never thought I was that good at footy, but now I’m going to the UK and France to play. I’m so grateful for the opportunity.”
Coming from a small country town, opportunities like this don’t come around every day, and the Eidsvold community is incredibly proud of what Nikita has achieved.
“She has worked hard for many years to get to this point, and being invited to tour internationally is a dream come true,” said Mikaela Linsket.
Like many representative sporting opportunities, the tour comes with significant costs, including travel, accommodation and participation fees.
Nikita and her family have begun fundraising to help make this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity possible, with the community already getting behind one of their own as she prepares to represent Australia on the international stage.
Published August 2026 Chitchat Newspaper