RECORD NUMBERS CONTEST TRIALS
Players put skills to test
RUGBY LEAGUE: More than 120 schoolgirls put their hands up for selection in Darling Downs school teams yesterday.
In action at Highfields Sport and Recreation Park girls from across the region vied for sport in the under-14/15 and U16-18 teams.
With record numbers showing interest in representing the Downs, U14-15s coach Tony Manteufel said it provided a bright future for girls rugby league in the region.
“We’ve got approximately 120 girls that nominated to trial across the 14-15 and 16-18 age groups,” he said.
“Last year across the one age group we had 45 students, and to now reach 120 is fantastic.
“It shows it is an area of growth for the game at the moment.
“I think at the moment we’re just initiating that (school programs) at the moment, and the teachers are putting in a big effort to be able to get girls league up and running across the region, which is heavily supported by the NRL.”
Manteufel praised the fact a number of first timers made their way down to Highfields for the trials.
“We’ve seen a lot of great skills. There are some old faces from last year and a lot of new faces as well,” he said.
“We’re seeing great commitment and talk from the girls. They’re keen to play the game and asking a lot of questions.
“The next step is the state carnivals. The 14 and 15 age group will have a state invitational carnival where there will be 12 other regions competing on the Sunshine Coast.
“The 16-18 years will have a carnival for the first time. There will be between 8-10 regions bringing teams to Brisbane later on in August.”
With women’s league rising at a storming pace, Manteufel said having the school program offered a valuable pathway to girls-looking to progress in the sport.
“It’s really exciting knowing there is a genuine pathway available for them in rugby league,” he said.
“It’s a part of the game that is expanding massively. You only have to look at the top level and what’s happening in the NRL with the women’s competition coinciding with the finals series.
“That’s filtering in through communities and regions too with the likes of the A-grade Toowoomba Fillies their involvement, the work that the TRL and the Mustangs do to develop these girls is fantastic.
“It’s about supporting one another across the club and school sector.”