GIRLS BRAVE HEAT TO LEARN FROM LEAGUE LEGEND
Ballinger gives back to her former club
IT MIGHT have been the hottest day of the year so far, but that wasn’t going to stop the next crop of women’s rugby league players from catching up with a Far North trailblazer.
More than 20 girls braved the stifling 38-degree heat on Saturday afternoon as they descended on Ivanhoes Rugby League Club with the chance to hone their skills and meet one of their heroes at a women’s development clinic.
Joining the aspiring athletes on the day was former Jillaroos, Queensland Maroons and Brisbane Broncos prop Heather Ballinger.
Ballinger, who launched her rugby league career with the Ivanhoes Maidens in 2005, said it was a pleasure coming back to where it all began.
“I started about 22 here at this very club and didn’t know anything about rugby league except for what I taught myself,” she said.
“It’s nice to come back and give back to the juniors.”
The NRLW premiershipwinning player said she wanted to share the knowledge and experience she’s picked up playing the game at the highest level for more than a decade.
“These girls will build their own name and they probably have little skills that I don’t even have,” she said.
“But what I want to do is teach them everything I know about the game and get them as best prepared for what’s ahead.”
Ivanhoes under-14s player Tahnie Webb said she was glad she attended the clinic, despite the sweltering conditions.
“It’s really hot, but it’s still worth it,” she said.
“It’s been really good to have Heather here. She’s very helpful and teaches a lot of good strategies.
“I’ve learnt a lot. I can’t wait for the new season.”
Ivanhoes Rugby League Club secretary Leah Slade, a former Maidens’ teammate of Ballinger, said the day was about raising the profile of the women’s game at a local level.
“We just wanted to promote the women’s rugby league competition that is kicking off this season,” she said.
“Ivanhoes are a big advocate for women’s rugby league. We’ve produced Jillaroos players, Queensland players and Indigenous All Stars players and we’d like to continue that tradition.”