FNQ rugby league talent Rebecca Sepon first Weipa girl selected for country rep team

A young Weipa player impressed former women’s rugby league great Renae Kunst after the teen was selected for the state country rep side: What Kunst said about history making teen

A talented teenage rugby league player whose commitment rocketed after meeting former Australian Rugby league player Renae Kunst has made history to became the first Weipa girl to be selected for the Queensland U17 Country Girls.

Kunst, a Queensland Maroons and Australian Jillaroos great, said she was thrilled when Rebecca Sepon, 16, overcame limited opportunities for females in Weipa to play.

From the moment she played rugby league in primary school, Rebecca said she was enraptured with the game and her commitment significantly increased after she attended boarding school for one year in Innisfail.

Rebecca Sepon, 16, scored a milestone when she became the first girl from Weipa to play for a Queensland Country rugby league representative team as a key player in the Queensland Under 17 Country Girls line up. Picture: Supplied

However, with no regular competitions available in Weipa, Rebecca grabbed the chance to be considered for North Queensland United after the team participated in a Northern carnival in the selection process for the then-upcoming City versus Country match.

“My goal as a player, I really wanted the support,” Sepon said.

“One of my main goals is to get support with coaching and team building.”

So when Kunst visited Weipa as part of her role as Queensland Rugby League North region manager to run development clinics earlier this year, Rebecca said a chord was struck.

“We had this meeting about City v Country in one of our schools,” she said.

“She (Renae) talked about pathways and she said there was a trial for opens and U17s.

“A couple of the girls trialled and I got selected.”

Former Jillaroo great now Queensland Rugby League North region manager, Renae Kunst, said she was impressed with Rebecca Sepon’s talent and commitment to the sport after being the first Weipa girl to make country rep team selection. Picture: Tony Martin

Kunst said she was particularly impressed to learn Rebecca made the Country team as the only NQU player to make the final cut.

Kunst said Rebecca’s inclusion would inspire other remote players, particularly in the Western Cape and Torres Strait Islands.

“No matter where you are in the region or state, there’s an opportunity to be part of our pathways moving forward,” Kunst said.

“We take great pride in ensuring we have every avenue possible for those in our most rural and remote communities, to give them an opportunity to play representative footy.”

Despite Country’s defeat by City 40-6 last month, Rebecca is determined to play rugby league at the highest level she can.

“I’m the first Weipa player (for Country), which is kinda cool,” she said.

Originally published as FNQ rugby league talent Rebecca Sepon first Weipa girl selected for country rep team