HARRISTOWN PRIDE
Downs girls compete for rugby league school crown
RUGBY LEAGUE: Harristown State High School has made extraordinary bounds in rugby league recently, and they are looking to their girls to lead the way in today’s Karyn Murphy Cup.
Coach Peter Wilson said the sport had experienced a meteoric rise at the school because of the formation of their rugby league academy.
“Last year we had a development academy where all the boys and girls came in for a try out and this year we started the academy,” Wilson said.
“Girls and boys get to do classes of rugby league, and we’ve had just as many girls as boys this year.
“Over 60 girls are involved, and last year we had an U14s and U16s team, where the U14s won the regional.
“They love the academy, the girls are out there every Monday and Wednesday training including lessons.
“When the NRL announced they were having those teams through, it showed the girls they can keep going.
“They can see they can get paid and go through the ranks there.”
Harristown State will field a team in each of the three divisions (Year 7/8, Year 9/10 and Open).
In 2017 the school successfully took out the Year 7/8 division, and Wilson said he was confident of performing well again.
“We have a few girls in the Mustangs and Clydesdales, so we’re very confident they’ll have a good go.”
Thirteen-year-old Jenna Teague is a part of the Harristown academy, and said she had loved the opportunity to develop her skills in the game.
“I started in the academy this year but I’ve always loved footy,” Jenna said.
“My brother plays footy. He began training at home and I started joining him, and then I thought I wanted to join the school team.
“It’s been good so far, I love it.
“At the moment I’m just having fun at school but I think it would be cool to join a club.”
The Karyn Murphy Cup is a nine-a-side state-wide competition that gives girls the opportunity to represent their school.
The Darling Downs division will kick off from 9.15am at Glenholme Park today, with the finals starting at 1.40pm.
A total of 21 teams across the three divisions will compete, with a total of 11 schools represented as they look to book their spot in the Southern Series finals at Ipswich in August.
Lockyer State is looking to claim Toowoomba State’s open title after winning the Year 9/10 crown last year.
For the full draw of today’s carnival, head to www.thechronicle.com.au/sport.