CUP PROVING PATHWAY FOR RUGBY DREAMS

RUGBY: Meg Jakins is proof of how much the Emilee Cherry Cup has grown.

In the space of just five years the cup has been a ‘introduction’ to rugby for 100s of players and produced more regional, state and Australian representative players.

Jakins could be the cup’s next representative star as she aims to swap her sky blue Roma Echindnas jersey for a Queensland Reds kit.

The talented back is one 41 players named in the Queensland Reds Academy Squad ahead of the 2023 Super W season.

Reds coach Simon Craig’s consists of experienced campaigners, rookies and two players capped for Fijiana.

Jakins and Nambour Toads backrower Megan Prinsloo were selected after starring for the Queensland Country Orchids.

“I believe we’ve put together a really strong Academy squad leading into the 2023 season,” Craig told Queensland Reds media.

“We have a strong contingent of the 2022 cohort returning, while we’ve also identified new talent from the Queensland Premier Rugby competition and Country pathways.

“The City v Country tri-series of games at the back of the Queensland Premier Rugby season, which saw the Country Orchids take on City North, West and South, provided us with a good opportunity to see some of the top performers in Premier Rugby play at another level while also seeing the players who had progressed along the Country pathway into the Orchids squad.

“Both Megan Prinsloo and Meg Jakins from the Orchids really stood out for Country in all three of their games and it’s great to be able to bring those girls from genuine regional clubs into the fold.

“We’ve also worked closely alongside the Queensland Academy of Sport Women’s Sevens program and we will see a few players transition across to XVs which will be exciting.

“From this group we will select our final Reds squad for the Super W campaign.

“With the Women’s Rugby World Cup Grand Final on this weekend, we’ve seen over the last month the excitement that continues to build around the women’s game and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve with this group next year as we look forward to 2023 and beyond.”

Jakins joins fellow backline guns and Darling Downs talents Briana Dascombe (Wests) and Georgia Sim (Souths).

Dascombe made her debut for the Queensland Reds this year.

Darling Downs product Briana Dascombe playing for the Reds in a Super W match this year. Picture: Getty Images

Georgia Sim is an example of the talent pool in the Emilee Cherry Cup competition. Picture: Supplied

Roma’s Meg Jakins has Bears defenders Paige Carpenter and Taylor Logan on her tail in an Emilee Cherry Cup game this year. Picture: Nev Madsen.