Maroons head to far north for rugby league clinics

"I just love that we can give these girls an opportunity to look up to some female athletes" is the first thing Meg Ward said when asked if she would be part of junior clinics in far north Queensland this month.

Queensland Rugby League, NRL and Harvey Norman have partnered to take Ward, Annette Brander and Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons coach Tahnee Norris far north to continue to develop female talent in an area where so many people's blood runs maroon. 

The free female development clinics will be held across the far north, including in Cairns, Innisfail and Atherton, from February 23.

"I just love junior clinics," Ward said.

"I love the fact that when us girls were younger and we were running around the front yard, we'd be running around being Billy Slater or Johnathan Thurston, or Darren Lockyer.

"I love that these clinics give young girls the opportunity to look up to other female players... a lot of them run around their backyards now saying they want to be Ali Brigginshaw or Steph Hancock.

"I just love that we can give these girls an opportunity to look up to some female athletes and see that's there's pathways there now for them to potentially play footy and love it as much as I do."

Ward, who is at St George Illawarra Dragons helping QRLW coach Jamie Soward after having neck surgery in November, said she still got goosebumps when she thought about how far the female game has come.

"I'd only just joined when it started to take off. But to hear some of the girls' stories, what they went through, like Karen Murphy and Steph Hancock, and even Ali Brigginshaw when she was younger... I just think it's so exciting where it's at now," Ward said.

"It makes me so excited to see where we're going and where we're going to be in a few more years' time. It's awesome."

Maroons star Annette Brander, buoyed with the knowledge she was inspired as a youngster when players visited her school for clinics, often puts her hand up to be part of junior clinics and this time is no different.

"When I was in high school, I remember the Broncos came to visit a few times and set up some passing drills and handed out signed hats," Brander said last time she hit to road for junior development clinics.

"I loved sport and started playing league in high school so it was always a highlight when that happened.

"Hopefully we can bring that same thrill to the kids who will be involved in our programs and start a fire in their belly to follow their footy dreams."

Harvey Norman sponsorships general manager Sam Waters said they were proud to partner with QRL to help continue to grow female talent in far north Queensland

"Harvey Norman is thrilled to continue its support of women's rugby league in Queensland and create opportunities for young girls to get in the game and strive to play for the Maroons,” Waters said.

 "The more people we can get playing the great game of rugby league across Queensland, the better."

Harvey Norman Far North Queensland Tour