TWEED DUO TO CLASH IN DERBY
AS a pair of Tweed teammates prepare to become rivals, Aiken has revealed a secret weapon which has her on course for a return to the State of Origin arena.
The Seagulls and Brisbane Broncos halfback is undertaking an honours degree in psychology, and her studies have in turn redefined how she prepares for each contest.
Aiken will clash with fellow Tweed gun Georgia Hale today in the first ever NRLW Queensland derby between the Broncos and Titans.
The 22-year-old has been a mainstay of both the Maroons and Brisbane line-ups in recent years, and said her education played a key role in preparing for big stages.
“I suppose you are more aware of the mental state you want to be in when you’re going to play a game. But afterwards it doesn’t really help if you’re upset or you’re excited from a loss or a win,” Aiken said.
“It’s probably more in preparation. Just from what I’ve learned you’re going to perform when you’re in your optimal state, so I just think about how I’m going to get there.
“You don’t want to be excited when you’re three days out from a game. You need to time it well, so just being calm and relaxed for the days leading up to it.”
Both Aitken and Hale have been called upon to help take Tweeds junior women’s pathways to a new level, brought on as ambassadors in addition to their playing demands once the QRLW season begins.
The move has been designed to continue the rise of the code, following the NRL’S announcement that the NRLW would expand to eight teams in 2023.
With that will come an increase in player wage and two Origin contests.
It will follow a 2022 in which two NRLW seasons, a QRLW campaign and a World Cup will take place across nine months of football.
Hale has watched her partner, Titans prop Sam Lisone, play full time, and now she too will get a taste of that environment.
Hale admits there is still more she wants to see women’s rugby league strive for, with Aiken backing a yearlong competition in the future.
But the Kiwi said now was the time for current NRLW stars to ensure they were fostering the junior and local levels of women’s rugby league, and leave behind a legacy that paves the way for a fully fledged professional avenue.
“The game gives you so much, you just really want to give back to the game and especially for, you know, the future generations,” Hale said.
“When we are growing and developing through (we want to make sure) we’re leaving it in a better place than we found it. That’s, I guess, one thing that I aim to do and I just aim to make my mark, not only on the field, but off the field too.”