The Far North rugby league community will acknowledge the contribution women make in the game of rugby league with events throughout the region this week.
NRL Queensland Female Participation Coordinator Keeown Rawnsley was joined by NRL Ambassador, Game Development Officer and Jillaroo Renae Kunst as well as Jillaroo Heather Ballinger as special guests at a Women in League Appreciation Event in Atherton last night (May 7) and attended a breakfast function at Jones Park this morning.
“The four values of rugby league are Inclusiveness, Teamwork, Excellence and Courage,” NRL Regional Development Manager for Northern Queensland, Tony Quinn said.
“Women involved in League epitomize these values ... (and) Mother’s Day is synonymous with May world-wide.
“May is also WiL month in our game, acknowledging of course the contribution mums make, as well as all females in a myriad of roles for grassroots junior clubs, primary and secondary schools, senior clubs, state league to the NRL.
“They devote their time volunteering, supporting, playing and officiating. Females run our game and we are proud to celebrate their contributions.”
Cairns District Junior Rugby League has also put the spotlight on the roles of women in the game and named this week (Round 2), the Women in League Round.
“The Women in League round is very important to me for many reasons. The effort put in by women has been critical to the game of rugby league in the past, and will be even more important in the future of our game,” Cairns District JRL Chairman Glenn Budge said.
“I am blessed to have a committee with amazing women who work so hard to make this game better for all involved.
“Without their support, the CDJRL would not have grown to what it is today. At the club level we have great women in every role from club president to being the players mum.”
Female player participation in the game will be centre stage today with the Secondary School Girls Gala Day, the Pat Bailey Plate, being played at Jones Park.
The event is named in honour of rugby league administrator and current Cairns District Rugby League Secretary and Operations Manager Pat Bailey who has dedicated more than 35 years to the sport.
The carnival is also a selection trial for the Cairns and Eacham/Innisfail Under 16 teams to play in the NQ Championships in June, with an Under 14 team selected to play in a tri-series against Mackay and Townsville teams on May 30.
For further information contact:
NRL Northern Queensland Regional Manager: Tony Quinn (mobile 0417 234 796)
Cairns District Rugby League Operations Manager: Pat Bailey (mobile 0419 700 870)
