Travel gives time to think
Winger’s rep debut is just reward
HOURS travelling to and from the Burdekin has given Violet Edwards plenty of time to reflect on her performances, ahead of her maiden appearance in a Brolgas jersey.
With her home town looking increasingly unlikely to be able to field a women’s team in the 2021 season, the dynamic winger has signed up with Western Suburbs and has been making the drive each week to both club and representative training.
It is a commitment inspired by a passion for rugby union which has only recently been discovered, with the last campaign her first in the 15-man code.
Having played Aussie rules and football previously, Edwards always had the athletic ability, however her ascension to Townsville’s top team still came as a surprise.
Nevertheless, she said the way in which the community
— both at home and in rugby circles — had rallied around her made the dedication far easier to manage.
“I just love the game but also the girls, it’s such a community — when I started at Western Suburbs the reason I started there was the team was so inviting, and the Brolgas team as well,” Edwards said.
“My brother and dad used to coach and play rugby, so I was always at my brother’s schoolboy rugby and I used to love watching the game, but mum never used to let me play.
“I personally don’t think I’m very fast at all, I just love to be out on the wing — it gives me time and I love having that bit of space to run.
“I only started rugby last year, so I’m not of a rugby background — that mindset is still completely new to me.”
With a strong Cairns outfit expected to confront the Brolgas this weekend, Edwards hopes the exposure to the high-level competition will inspire a new generation of Burdekin players to take up the code.
Edwards took part in the 10a-side tournament in Cairns, and said the calibre of talent was that of a strong and fast group of players who would present a daunting prospect.
However that test is perhaps what was most needed in convincing more rural athletes to pick up the Gilbert.
“For my game individually I guess any exposure is good exposure, but as a team and as a league in Townsville I think it’s awesome for women’s rugby and hopefully there’s a lot of support that comes down,” Edwards said.
“Some of the girls in the Burdekin team last year were quite young which comes into play with travel, but it’s showing there’s a broader range of girls from all areas of North Queensland coming in to create a team.
“It’s definitely need up here.” what they
Northern Rays centre Estel Mocelutu believes the confirmation of the club’s latest sponsor will be the final piece that takes them on a Sapphire Series title tilt.
Mendi Group announced yesterday it would be a major naming rights partner of the purple outfit, easing the financial burden on the Rays.
The Rays struggled financially in their first season and their 2020 campaign was ended by COVID-19.
But with their future secure, Mocelutu is confident the players can focus on what they do best.
Only this time, they have more to fight for.
“It really takes the worry off our shoulders that we can really focus on our playing and develop on our skills and court play. I feel like that aside, it will definitely make us a better team and really give it to the Brisbane teams down south,” Mocelutu said.
“I definitely feel like it’s a big opportunity for us to have a big sponsor come on our team.
“It kind of makes us proud in a sense, we’re going down to represent something very big that’s local to us. It makes us have more of a purpose on the court.
“I reckon it will just make us better on the court, and it will be in the back of our minds why we’re playing and why we’re doing it.”
Mendi Group managing director Jeff Doyle said the move was designed to ensure it continued to provide positive outcomes for the community, and hopefully inspires the next generation of athletes to join the Rays.