She bleeds blue and white and on Sunday former Mudgee resident Jenna Campbell will represent her beloved Bulldogs at the National Rugby League Grand Final.
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This year Ms Campbell has been a part of The Sapphires, a new ambassador group for the Bulldogs.
The promotional position means Ms Campbell will have a ringside view at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on Sunday but it won’t be all pompoms and dancing.
In a move away from traditional cheerleading roles, The Sapphires have focused their attention on involving more women in the game as well as stepping up fan interaction.
“At the Grand Final we’ll be doing a lot of fan focused activities. We often step out on the concourse at ANZ and get photos with the kids, paint their faces and give the full game day experience,” Ms Campbell said.
The 24-year-old can resonate with children’s first experiences at the football as she was once in their shoes.
“Going to watch the Bulldogs as a kid is among some of my fondest memories,” she said.
“I remember being by my dad’s side in the tunnel and greeting players on many occasions”
Ms Campbell was originally introduced to the Bulldogs through a tie to the Hughes family. The Hughes name has seen generations of players come through the Bulldogs and Jenna remembers watching Corey play in the 2004 Grand Final at ANZ Stadium.
“Being associated with club has also led to me meeting the likes of Steve Mortimer, Hazem El Masri and Steve Folkes among other Bulldogs greats,” she said.
Alongside her day-to-day employment at a public relations agency, Ms Campbell was also able to shoot a website interview with Bulldogs star Josh Reynolds earlier this year. The Sapphires and Bulldogs players have attended fan days and the Westmead Children’s Hospital for interaction with sick children.
Her tip for the Grand Final is obvious and a love for the club is shining this week.
“The atmosphere at the club has been great. Everyone is really excited at Belmore and allover Sydney. There are flags everywhere and fans are even painting their cars. We have the most passionate supporters in the NRL,” she said.
“We lost the Grand Final to Melbourne in 2012 and to come back the way we have is just a sign of the fighting club it is. A club that always does well when faced with adversity.
“We started this season well and we’ve hung in there and now everyone is excited because at one stage we weren’t’ expected to make it this far.”
Ms Campbell has not had the chance to talk to Gulgong star Josh Jackson this week but said she was proud to see another home grown talent progress through the ranks in what is a tough competition.
The NRL Grand Final between South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Bulldogs begins at 7.30pm on Sunday.
