Toowoomba’s Taylor pushes for girls growth
Photo: Sean Teuma
HOPEFULLY OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS THE TOOWOOMBA JUNIOR RUGBY LEAGUE WOULD LIKE EVERYONE AROUND HERE TO GET INVOLVED.
ASH TAYLOR
This year has been a landmark season for rugby league in Toowoomba, and one of the region’s best ever product hopes it is just the start.
Gold Coast halfback and Toowoomba Brothers junior Ash Taylor was on hand for an NRL clinic at Herb Steinohrt Oval yesterday for junior girls, and threw his support behind the growth for women.
“It’s been awesome seeing the girls running around, and my younger sister is playing for the Toowoomba Valleys Fillies,” Taylor said.
“It’s good to see her getting involved in rugby league. It’s something she always wanted to do because us boys would always be playing footy, and it’s great to see her playing now.
“There’s a massive growth here and hopefully over the next few years the Toowoomba Junior Rugby League would like everyone around here to get involved to try and get a competition running for the U12s, U14s and U17s.”
The pathways have expanded immensely throughout all levels of the game, and Taylor said this would only serve as a benefit for aspiring female players.
“For girls to be looking up to State of Origin idols like Ruan Sims, there’s so much talent out there to look up to,” he said.
“Being a girl you can look up to women’s rugby league players now.
“There’s a massive drive for it and hopefully the whole NRL gets behind it.”
Having earned a regular starting spot with the Titans and the emerging Maroons, Taylor hopes young boys and girls chase their dreams like he and fellow Toowoomba-product Brodie Croft have done.
“I just want to inspire the next generation because you never know who’s going to come through,” he said.
“There’s only a few players from the Toowoomba region that have made it but hopefully we can grow some more NRL players and see a lot of people shining.”
Taylor’s homecoming also included trips to St Anthony’s Catholic School and Harristown State High School.
“(We talked about) attending school, giving your best effort, giving 100 percent to your school in whatever sport you desire, and listening to your teachers and coaches,” he said.