THE popularity and awareness of women’s sport is increasing every year, with some major sporting codes now enjoying national exposure via television deals such as the Women’s AFL (AFLW).
However, this emergence didn’t just happen overnight.
It started at grassroots level.
It started in schools.
Some of the female students from Irrawang High School have joined this revolution and jumped onboard to do their bit to be a part of the world of women in sport.
Students from years 7 through to 10 combined to make up the Irrawang High School Rugby League team in last week’s Newcastle Knights Rugby League Competition.
They trained at least twice a week for the competition, both at lunchtime and after school with Aboriginal Education Worker Sheridan Noble for the last term and a half.
The school entered two teams, Year 7 and 8 girls, and under 16 girls.
This was Irrawang’s second year entering the competition, and they certainly came into this year’s competition bigger and better than last year.
Regardless of the scores recorded, Rugby League and women’s sport were the true winners of the day.
With 50 teams in attendance, it was always going to be a difficult initiation for the inexperienced players, but that didn’t stop them from putting in a terrific effort.
Irrawang High teacher Sarah Heffernan told News Of The Area, “Some of our girls had never played before let alone made a tackle.”
“All girls involved showed great spirit, behaviour, support of each other and they improved immensely throughout the day.”
“A big thank you to Sheridan Noble for her effort in running training sessions during school and outside of school hours as well as coaching on the day,” she said.
Ms Noble’s manner with the girls is one of professionalism and the girls really respect her,” Ms Heffernan said.
With a national women’s rugby league competition on the agenda, we may well see one of Irrawang’s finest on the big stage one day soon.
The team of Year 7 and 8 girls consisted of; Christine Higginbottom, Rhea Blair, Lily Manton, Emily Green, Tiffany Williams, Emilee Ruba, Jay-Lee Hilzinger-Geise and Brydie Treharne.
The U16 team consisted of; Mikayla Evans, Shaytarna Ping, Karly Page, Tasmyn Fellows, Taylor Gam, Lilly Cashen, Elizabeth Kelly, Katie Evans, Telika Willis-Monk, Mikayla Evans, Jayde Ireland, Hanna Lucas, Makenzie Keeley and
Ashlee Steele.
By Rachael VAUGHAN
