Maroons help to guide our girls
RUGBY LEAGUE: The next generation of rugby league girls in Toowoomba will get an experience like no other next weekend.
A quartet of some of the biggest names in the game will be on hand at Clive Berghofer Stadium for the Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons ‘Come and Try’ Clinics on February 29.
QRL partnerships manager Phil Wuersching said the clinics were part of a larger effort to continue to bring the elite players of the game to regional areas.
“Part of what Harvey Norman is looking for is how they can increase the pathway for all girls across the game,” Wuersching said.
“This is why things such as these clinics are so important to continue to bring young girls into the game and to bring our Maroons players out into the regions so they can see and interact with these players.”
Maroons and Jillaroos representatives Steph Hancock, Brittany Breayley and Tallisha
Harden, as well as Queensland and former Australian Rugby 7s player Amy Turner, will be on hand to put the girls through their paces.
Wuersching said the calibre of player in attendance was a big drawcard in helping to promote the game to current and potential players in the area.
“The players themselves are really excited,” he said.
“They understand that they have a role to play in promoting the game. They didn’t necessarily have that themselves growing up, they sort of watched the boys.
“Now they know these young girls can watch them coming through, and it’s an exciting time for the game.
“Participation in women’s rugby league is growing 30 per cent year on year over the last three or four years, and that’s where the growth is coming from.
“That makes it important to provide these opportunities for girls to see their idols.”
QRL operations manager Jackie Stephson said the presence of the players is a big drawcard for the region.
“It will be great for the area, particularly for the young girls,” she said.
“The girls get the chance to actually meet the players and that’s a big thrill for them.
“They see them on TV and now they can have some time with them.
“There’s a lot of people helping in the background now as opposed to years ago, and they’re all keen to get rugby league in Toowoomba up and running for the girls and women.”
The presence of Hancock has an important significance according to Stephson, given her heritage in Killarney and recent contributions for the South West Mustangs.
“Steph’s played in the local women’s teams up here and played for the Central Crows,” she said.
“She’s a local girls and she does a lot for football and female rugby league in Toowoomba and surrounding areas.”
The day starts with an U6U12s clinic at 10am, followed by U13s-Opens at midday. To book a place in the clinics, head to www.bit.ly/ HNToowooombaClinic