Sisters set to take charge in Origin clash
RUGBY LEAGUE: As far as double acts go, the Prendergast sisters are taking all before them.
The South Burnett duo has been taking the southeast rugby league refereeing scene by storm in recent times, and now they’re set for an incredible honour on the biggest stage in the sport.
Bridie and Brenna have been selected in the officiating crew for the Queensland vs NSW Schoolgirls Origin on Wednesday night as a curtainraiser to Origin game three at Suncorp Stadium.
Bridie will take the flag as a sideline official and Brenna is on standby in what serves as a moment of great pride for the family.
“I am very excited and nervous. I was a little bit in shock (when finding out), and didn’t know if they had the right person,” Bridie said.
“When my name was read, I thought ‘yeah I can do this, and this is what my training has been for’.
“Knowing all of that (the occasion at Suncorp) is where the nerves coming from, but I’ll take it as another game and want to make sure I do it all right.”
“When I originally found out, I saw the message and pulled over,” 20-year-old Brenna said.
“Mum (Sheree) called me straight away and said congratulations. I was quite excited when I opened it and rang everyone.”
The duo has recently started officiating fixtures in the TRL, taking up the flag for senior games with Brenna having her first centre at the weekend for an U19s game in Warwick.
But it was a recent appearance at the Harvey Norman Women’s Championship that Brenna describes as her proudest moment.
“At the start of the year I was doing a few Cyril Connell Cup, Mal Meninga Cup and U19s touch lines,” she said.
“I did a few carnivals during May and June, but the highlight was the women’s nationals. It was very exciting, and I received high quality coaching and awesome feedback.”
For 17-year-old Bridie, it will mean another day off school, but one the institution can be proud of.
“It’s been a crazy year. When I told them I won’t be at school on Wednesday they said ‘what is it now?’ But they were very excited when I told them what it was for,” she said.
The sisters have enjoyed a remarkable journey this year, and they both have their sights set on future honours.
“There was no female rugby league team, and I was too old to play with the boys. I was spending every weekend and footy with my brother playing, so I decided to pick up the whistle, and here we are today,” Brenna said.
“I would love to push myself to an NRLW line or further in the future.”
“It’s definitely something I want to continue, and I would love to get to the NRL,” Bridie said.
“That’s the goal. But I want to see where it takes me and continuing with the travel.
“I’d love to start at the NRLW. I met (NRL and NRLW official) Belinda Sharpe before a game I had at Cbus, and I was lost for words. She’s someone I idolise and look up to.”
TRL Referees Association administrator Michael Inman said their story was an inspirational one to young referees in country regions.
“This time last year, the girls were running around the South Burnett every now and then,” he said.
“They got an invite to QRL training and have made every post a winner from turning up to training and putting in, which speaks volumes.
“They take coaching on board and nothing is too much of an issue for them. They’re further proof that if you want something, go out and get it.”
IT’S BEEN A CRAZY YEAR. WHEN I TOLD THEM I WON’T BE AT SCHOOL ON WEDNESDAY THEY SAID ‘WHAT IS IT NOW?’ BUT THEY WERE VERY EXCITED WHEN I TOLD THEM WHAT IT WAS FOR. BRIDIE PRENDERGAST