Ipswich launch girls challenge to unearth new players

Author: Colleen Edwards
Timestamp: Tue 15 Feb 2022, 03:14 PM

With more and more opportunities being created in Ipswich for women and girls to play rugby league at a high level, it is important to ensure a strong field of young local talent is also developing at the junior level.

Rugby League Ipswich has launched an Under 12 Girls Challenge where they hope to see young girls flourish in a supportive environment as they learn the game and develop their skills.

The four-week challenge will be hosted at North Ipswich Reserve on Monday nights and will run from March 7 until March 28.

Four local clubs have signed on to be part of the challenge, with Brothers Juniors, Norths Ipswich Tigers, Redbank Plains Bears and Swifts Bluebirds all on board.

Interested players can head into one of the clubs to sign-up face-to-face or can register directly online via the PlayRugbyLeague.com website.

The challenge will place a focus on learning the basics of the game before participants hit the field with their new-found skills.

In the first week of the challenge, all participants and coaching staff will go through the NRL TackleReady program which will allow them to learn correct and safe techniques which will prepare players for the tackle version of rugby league. The program aims to increase player confidence and physical competence in all tackling situations.

Rugby League Ipswich chair Dane McQueen said he was happy to see the new opportunity being offered to aspiring female players.

“Rugby League Ipswich is excited to provide an opportunity for young females to try rugby league,” McQueen said.

“The four-week challenge will allow our girls to run through NRL’s TackleReady program to provide them confidence and physical competence in all tackling situations.

“The challenge will be a load of fun, with great feedback coming from our clubs already.

“We welcome all 11 and 12-year-old girls to sign up and participate.”

Rugby League Ipswich devised the challenge as a way to encourage new participants to experience a taste of the game and see if they would like to then sign up to play a full junior season.

The female-focused program is also an opportunity for girls who are already playing rugby league in mixed teams to transition into playing in a female competition.

Registrations will remain open for under 12 girls for the year and if players enjoy the four weeks of the challenge, there will be opportunities to continue playing rugby league in a female competition in the SEQ Female competition.

Any further queries regarding participation in the challenge can be directed to Mitch Kent at m.kent@qrl.com.au or to Rugby League Ipswich chair Dane McQueen at ipswich@qrl.com.au.