The Central Highlands Junior Rugby League will receive $10,000 to help grow the number of female participants thanks to the Holden Home Ground Advantage program.
The League, which includes the Blackwater Crushers, Clermont Bears, Dysart Bulls, Emerald Brothers, Emerald Tigers, Gemfields Giants, Middlemount Panthers, Peak Downs Pirates and Springsure Mountain Men, will put the grant towards jerseys and equipment for their recently formed Under 14s and Under 17s girls teams.
Central Highlands Junior Rugby League President Andrew Finlay said the grant will be put to good use for the expanding number of female participants in the League.
Central Highlands Junior Rugby League president Andrew Finlay and Steve Schofield (Emerald Holden)
“This is such an exciting year for us as our Under 14s and Under 17s girls competitions are really starting to grow from their foundation year last season,” Finlay said.
“Female participation in our Under 6s - Under 11s teams across the League are also rapidly increasing which is really encouraging.”
The $10,000 grant will also fund much-needed first aid equipment and portable shade structures which will travel across the state with players who regularly drive up to four hours to attend training sessions and games.
Local Holden dealer Steve Schofield of Emerald Holden, said he was delighted to presenting the league with this grant and supporting the local community.
“Sport has such a positive impact on the lives of these young players and is teaching them valuable skills they’ll carry into the future,” Mr Schofield said.
“It’s great to be able to provide a financial boost so they can continue playing their favourite sport.”
Central Highlands Junior Rugby League Female Participation Coordinator Terri Weatherley said receiving the Holden Home Ground Advantage Grant was a huge step forward for female participation and will hopefully encourage more girls to play Rugby League.
“After a very successful season last year, with eight girls selected to represent the CQ Capras at the state trials and various wins throughout the Capricorn region, we are hoping to soar to greater heights in 2016,” Weatherley said.
“This grant will hopefully be a contributing factor in seeing our numbers grow in future years so each local Central Highlands club can field Under 14s and Under 17s girls teams to play in regular Home and Away fixtures.”
*Any girl between the ages of 12–17 is welcome to play. To register, visit www.playnrl.com, click register now, search for Central Highlands Junior Girls and follow the links.
