Stingrays are playing just like girls ... and dominating
GOLD Coast Stingrays juniors remain the only undefeated side in the southeast Queensland league but it wasn’t just their victory last weekend which filled them with pride.
In defeating the Raptors, the Stingrays had three of their junior female players, Kaylee Tongakilo, Lorrilee Clifford and Neve Tomkins, act as cocaptains for their 58-0 win.
The power trio have played every game this year and even played alongside each other in defence, keeping the Raptors scoreless in a historic moment for the club.
Officials believe it was the first time in Australian gridwork iron history that a side had a position entirely comprised of female players.
“They made an impact as soon as they got on the field” said Stingrays junior coach Lance Tongakilo. “It was a proud moment for women in sport.” Today, the Stingrays take on the Rhinos in the last game of the regular season before play-offs and Tongakilo believes his side has peaked at exactly the right time.
“Our goal is to get better every week and continue to on our game,” he said. “The kids are super excited and have been loving it all year.
“There’s something special about them and the support they have for one another on and off the field.”
Tongakilo, who rates the Sunshine Coast Spartans as the biggest Sunbowl threat, believes offence is the area his side needs to iron out in their final remaining match-up today at 10:30am at Kitchener Park.
“We still need to be a bit more efficient offensively.”
In other Stingrays action, all three of the colts, men’s and women’s take on the Ravens.