Giving girls chance to discover league
FROM little things big things grow and an upcoming rugby league day has grassroots sports poised for a big boost.
To be run in conjunction with Queensland Rugby League’s Country Week in Ingham, the Play NRL initiative is an entrance-level clinic for girls to receive an introduction into the sport.
Queensland Women’s Origin star and NRL development officer Jenni-sue Hoepper said it would be a chance for girls and young women and those in country areas who don’t have the chance for regular or organised competition to get involved.
With women’s rugby league thriving and pathways available right through to professional ranks, Hoepper said there would be no better time to help grow the game.
“There’s plenty of opportunity for females in general in the game and we’ve got the chance with Country Week in Ingham to give young girls a chance,” she said.
“Going up there (Ingham) will help us see where the women’s game is at and a lot of young girls are becoming more interested in playing.
“So it’s a great way to grow that relationship and see what we can do to give females in that area the best opportunity to have the league experience.”
The clinic, at Herbert River Crushers Sportsman Parade, will be held next Wednesday from 3.305.30pm and is open to females of all ages.
With no female side in the area, young girls and women have to travel to Townsville and elsewhere for competition, which Hoepper hoped the clinic could help remedy in the long term.
“We want to make sure there is a pathway for them to have an opportunity through their school or even having a little bit of a league tag competition,” Hoepper said.
“We’d like it to lead to a women’s team, but hopefully there can be girls team, whether it’s under-14s or 16s to take part in the junior rugby league competition that runs in Townsville.
“But the clinic is definitely a step in the right direction, just for girls to be able to learn core skills and have a game. The great thing with our game is they can adjust to it so if we can’t have 13-a-side, we can play 11-a-side to get them playing short games.”
Coming off a starring run in the recent Women’s State of Origin match, Hoepper is preparing to return to club football with Brothers.
The inaugural Dally M Medal winner and an Australian Jillaroo said an introduction into the game could lead a girl on to a path to the top.
“There’s opportunities for young girls coming through and if a girl gives it (league) a go, they might see themselves putting it on their goal list to make an NRL Women’s team in the future,” she said.