Zis, who spent her childhood in the picturesque Greek village of Levidi, Arcadia, developed a passion for rugby league after witnessing Greece’s triumphant win over Serbia in the 2022 Women’s European B Championship.
Her journey began with an oval-shaped ball gifted by her American-born mother, Joanne, who had played rugby union in college.
While the 18-year-old currently plays rugby union with the Atlanta Valkyries, she has been training with the Atlanta Rhinos, rubbing shoulders with members of the USA Hawks men’s and women’s teams. The historic double-header against Greece is set for Friday night (US Pacific Time) at Silverbowl Park, with the men’s standalone Test scheduled for Wednesday. Fans can catch all the action live on NRL.com.
“In Greece, [women’s] rugby league is still quite new, so I didn’t grow up with it,” Zis said. “My mom and her college friend would share stories about playing rugby union, which sparked something in me. I got my first rugby ball when I was young, and it’s been with me ever since.”
Her move to the US opened new doors for Zis, who began with a co-ed team before joining an all-female squad. But the dream of representing Greece never left her.
“During a trip to Greece last summer, I saw some league games and thought, ‘I want to be on that field,’” she said.
Zis connected with the Greek Rugby League Federation, and training with the Atlanta Rhinos became crucial in achieving her goal. She hopes rugby league gains a stronger foothold in US high schools and universities, where rugby union currently dominates.
“I’ve been doing my best to train for the league with my resources here,” Zis explained. “Rugby isn’t huge in the US; when it is, it’s mostly union. I’d love to start a college club to give rugby league more exposure and maybe even see it become an NCAA sport.”
With Australia’s world champion Jillaroos set to face England at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, Zis believes the physicality and skill of women’s rugby league will captivate American audiences.
“They’ll be blown away,” she said. “Many women here are drawn to the physicality of American football, but rugby league offers that same aggression with a more accessible style of play. Once they see it, I think they’ll fall in love.”
As the sole US-based player on the Greek team, Zis is yet to meet her teammates in person. However, support is pouring in from her father Nikolaos’s family in Greece and her friends back in Atlanta.
“When I got the email from Coach Terry inviting me to join the team, I screamed so loud the whole neighborhood probably heard,” she said. “It’s been my dream since I discovered rugby. My family in Greece is over the moon—the whole village knows and will be tuning in.”
Zis looks forward to testing her skills against a dominant US team and continuing to grow her rugby league career.
“I’ve been training with the Atlanta Rhinos, and there are a few players from the USA teams, so it’s going to be an incredible matchup,” she said. “I’m excited to learn more about the game and, hopefully, keep representing Greece.”
Greece Squad:
Angelina Ballas (North Sydney), Marilena Girlemi (Aris Eagles), Sam Glumac (Mounties), Stephanie Glumac (Mounties), Sofia Kitsaneli (Aris Eagles), Georgina Kalomenopoulou (Aris Eagles), Klaudia Koule (Athens Raiders), Rania Koutsikou (Cardiff Demons), Asimina Mastoraki (Aris Eagles), Nicola Munday (Brisbane Norths Rugby Union), Lisa Paloukis (West Belconnen), Ella Panagiotopoulos (Belconnen Sharks), Hayley Papa (Toukley), Effie Skouroliakou (Aris Eagles), Sotiria Skouroliakou (Aris Eagles), Maggie Stavrianou (Athens Raiders), Lavinia Taukamo (Redfern All Blacks), Meleanna Waters (Mascot), Eleni Zis (Atlanta Rhinos).