WE WANT TO PLAY TACKLE Addo leads call for return of a women’s rugby league comp

Latecomer takes it to next level

CDRL WOMEN’S AN ONLINE petition calling for the return of a women’s tackle rugby league competition in Cairns is gaining momentum as CDRL powerbrokers meet to determine the future of the women’s game.

Edmonton Storm women’s league touch player Jessica Addo said she and her teammates joined the Storm at the start of the season under the impression a tackle competition would be returning in July.

“Now we are being told that it might not happen and we don’t really know why,” she said. “That was the only reason a lot of us signed up. We don’t even want to play touch – that’s boring.”

The CDRL will tonight RUGBY LEAGUE meet with club presidents to discuss the viability of a 10week tackle season kicking off next month.

Queensland Origin stars Heather Ballinger and Stephanie Mooka told the Cairns Post they supported a return of a women’s tackle rugby league competition, which has been absent since 2011.

CDRL secretary and operations manager Pat Bailey said since then. I didn’t think I was any good at footy until I went back.

“I started going all right so I started loving it a fair bit after that.”

Chinfat will be the 33rd player used by the Pride this season after he was named at fullback for this weekend’s must-win clash against PNG Hunters.

The 27-year-old takes over the position vacated by Jack Murphy, who suffered a knee injury in the Pride’s 20-12 loss to Redcliffe a fortnight ago.

Chinfat has only been in the Pride system for six weeks, added as a development player last month.

“The extra fitness and gym work is definitely helping me on the the main concerns with the competition were related to safety, referee requirements and player commitment.

“They’re worrying that players might drop off, like we’ve seen with the league touch,” she said. “That’s why everyone’s a bit frightened to bring it in halfway through the year.”

Bailey said there was scope to combine the existing CDRL clubs into five divisional teams to avoid a drop in numbers.

“Tully and Innisfail can become Cassowary Coast, Suburbs and Edmonton could be Southern, Mareeba and Atherton could be the Tablelands, Mossman and Ivanhoes could be Northern, and we could have a Central team in there as well,” she said.

Addo said it was “sad” that there was no competition for women who wanted to play.

“You’ve got all the young ones coming through from under-17s and their talent is amazing – their speed, their skills – but when they finish under-17s, they have nowhere to go and play,” she said.

Addo said she started an online petition last week when she heard a tackle competition may not start until next year, and had received an “overwhelming” response.

Picture: BRENDAN RADKE www.cairnspost.com.au IF you told Cephas Chinfat a decade ago that he’d trot out on to Barlow Park in the Northern Pride’s No.1 jersey, he probably would have laughed in your face. The Southern Suburbs custodian and reigning Cairns District Rugby League Gold Medal joint winner wasn’t even playing rugby league 10 years ago. “I played a few games in juniors, but then stopped playing all through high school,” he said. “I came back when I was about 18 and played Suburbs A-grade that year and haven’t really stopped FLYING: Southern Suburbs fullback Cephas Chinfat will bring his tryscoring prowess to the Northern Pride. He will make his debut against PNG Hunters at Barlow Park on Sunday. field,” he said. “Just training with the Pride and being around that environment, it’s been really good.” He said he was excited for the challenge of the Queensland Cup. “I’m just keen to see how I go with this type of footy,” he said. “It will be good to test myself at the higher level.” Coach Ty Williams said Chinfat’s bigger body and ability to back himself would be assets to the backline. “There’ll be a good chance for him to actually do some ball-playing as well,” he said. “If he plays well for the next month or so, there’s a good chance we’ll contract him moving forward.”