Power’s passion inspires next gen
IT came as no surprise to Ben Jeffries that Shaniah Power would ascend to the NRLW, and now he hopes the flow-on effect takes women’s rugby league in North Queensland to another level.
Power realised a dream held by many young footballers when she debuted for the New Zealand Warriors on Saturday, almost scoring in her 20-minute stint and impressing her Gold Stars coaches.
Across enemy lines sat fellow North Queensland alumni Romy Teitzel, who was 18th woman for the Brisbane Broncos in her side’s 28-14 win.
Jeffries said it was the work ethic of the pair that really stood out once they stepped into the Gold Stars program, and their determination to become better than the day before could be the catalyst for more young women to follow in their footsteps.
The Gold Stars coaching director said it was not just their abilities with the Steeden that made them such enticing future prospects, but their willingness to make the sacrifices needed on and off the field in order to succeed.
“Something we try to do in North Queensland is instil the belief into the players, especially the female players – all they needed was an opportunity to showcase themselves,” Jeffries said. “What they’ve done recently, they’ve basically gone out of their comfort zones to showcase themselves down in Brisbane.
“They left their jobs here, their commitments here, and put it on hold. It shows their desire to be better players, and the desire to play football at the highest level they can.
“It was a no-brainer to bring her (Power) into the (Gold Stars) set up, and we see her as a future role model.”
Power’s rise from an aspiring talent in Bowen to the ranks of the NRL has been rapid, with the second row forward also featuring for the Indigenous All Stars earlier this year. North Queensland coach Gavin Lloyd hoped Power and Teitzel would bring a whole new perspective to the group when they went back into preseason camp ahead of next year’s QRLW.
He said what played to their advantage was they were “students of the game”, constantly seeking feedback and constructive criticism that would assist them.
“I think she (Power) will come back hungrier, more motivated and what they’ll do is inspire the girls around her to go higher as well,” Lloyd said.
“There’ll be some players there very close to the likes of Shaniah and Romy who may only be 12 months away from their development.
“They will only assist in their development and showcase if they can do it, I can do it. I think it’s only going to be an extreme positive to our squad for next season.”