How I Got Here: Chioma Enyi
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Admit it, we’ve all been there – stalking social media and LinkedIn profiles, trying desperately to figure out how the hell someone got their dream job.
It seems impossible and yet there they are, living out your career fantasy (minus the itchy business suit). It might seem hard to believe, but once upon a time, they were also fantasising about their future career, and with some hard work, they made it.
Welcome to How I Got Here, HerCanberra’s series that reveals everything you want to know about the secrets of career success. This week, we meet Chioma Enyi, backrower for the ACT Brumbies and Wallaroos.
Existential crisis time: Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Chioma Enyi AKA Chichi train, AKA “Bully” Enyi, AKA Bulldozer, AKA Pathfinder, AKA Cheatcode! *cough* and I’m a backrower for the ACT Brumbies and Wallaroos.
Let’s go back to when you were a kid, have you always dreamed of working in this industry?
When I was a kid, I didn’t really have a choice. Athletics wasn’t physical enough, I was too aggressive for netball, so naturally I was flooded with joy when I was told there was a sport that I could channel all that energy into. It wasn’t really a dream of mine because there was no advertised professional space for women’s rugby, but ever since I started, I’ve never thought about looking back.
Tell us about when you were first starting out, what set a fire in your belly to get here and how did you do it?
When I first started playing rugby, I wasn’t looking to make a career out of it. I just wanted a new sport to try and a place to hang out with friends. But as I started falling in love with the sport, my competitive nature and passion started to kick in and drove me to see how far I could take it.
Recall a time when you wanted to chuck it all in; what did you tell yourself when it got too hard?
By far the most challenging point in my career was when I injured my knee in 2025, right as I was just about to take the next step in my career. The rug was pulled out from under me. It made me realise how badly I wanted to achieve my dreams of playing for Australia, and I wasn’t going to allow anything to get in my way. I told myself that in the grand scheme of things, this was just a small bump in the road.
What was your biggest break?
My knee… But in all seriousness, my 2025 Super W season was when I truly started finding my footing, not only in the team but also in the sport.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
I had an old coach at my home club once say, “Be perfect next time.” It’s allowed me to not sit in my mistakes and has changed my mindset to how this experience is going to make me better.
What is it about your industry that you love and what makes you want to pull your hair out?
The community, all the players, coaches, and staff, everyone is so passionate about the role they play in it, and it is inspiring to be around.
Trying to balance working while being a high-level athlete makes me want to pull my hair out at times.
What was your biggest ‘pinch me’ moment?
My first ever selection meeting, seeing my name in the Brumbies Women’s starting lineup was unreal; it truly brought the dream to life.
Tell us how you ‘stay in the know’, what media do you consume?
I follow The Female Athlete Project and Rugby AU on Instagram to keep up to date with women’s sports and rugby.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Hopefully still living off the high of playing in a home world cup.
Why should people follow in your footsteps?
I don’t think rugby is suited for everyone, but becoming somebody that can set lofty goals and not let anything get in my way of achieving those goals is an important life skill. I encourage people to find the thing that pushes them to achieve their goals.
What advice would you give your past self?
Um, the rule number one of time travel is to not interact with yourself from the past. I don’t want to disrupt the spacetime continuum.
