$2000 boost to provide better gym equipment for teenage talents

Teacher and coach Sarah Ryan is enjoying her expanded development focus at Ipswich State High. A recent $2000 grant is helping the school bolster participation and success in the girls program.

Having overseen some valuable development work in the country, Sarah Ryan appreciated the opportunity to join the Ipswich State High Girls Rugby League Program.

The former Lockyer teacher and coach knows how important it is to nurture girls sport at all levels.

She is enjoying her expanded development focus at Ipswich State High, working with former Australian player Veronica White and Ipswich Jets development manager Steve Brown.

Current Australian representative Ali Brigginshaw is also a regular visitor inspiring the 130 girls in the Ipswich State High program which caters for players from years seven to a combined year 11/12 side.

Ipswich State High teacher and coach Sarah Ryan is enjoying working in the school's rapidly growing girls rugby league program. Picture: David Lems

Ryan was instantly impressed with Ipswich State High’s program having joined this year.

“It’s absolutely progressive,’’ she said. “It’s ahead of most programs out there.

“It is running at full speed and everything is progressing really quickly.’’

Ipswich State High teams enjoyed success across the grades this season with four teams making semi-finals in the Titans Cup and the school’s senior combination qualifying for the Karen Murphy Cup grand final.

Players in the senior team have risen through the ranks together since year seven.

“They’re our local girls who play club together as well so it’s really nice to see them progress that far,’’ Ryan said.

Among the Ipswich State High girls to be recognised at a higher level were Shalom Sauaso, Lina Tanielu, Ariana Henderson and Rilee Jorgenson who made the 2021 QSS 14-15 years Merit team.

Sauaso, Tanielu and Henderson were also chosen for Met West team which came first in the state this year.

The winning Ipswich State High School Girls Rugby League program.

A recent $2000 grant from St.George Bank has provided a timely boost for the school’s program.

The money will be used to buy extra equipment for the newly installed girls-only gym at Ipswich State High.

“That has been developed this year with an overall arch of strength and conditioning as a professional athlete,’’ Ryan said.

“So that’s our end game and we’re going to buy a leg press and some dumbbells and other items that will help support that.

“It (the grant) is very helpful.’’

Ipswich State High teacher and coach Sarah Ryan is excited about more future success.

Before joining the ISH program this year, Ryan spent 10 years in the Lockyer area also developing junior girls rugby league.

After starting with six girls at the school, she grew the program to include three teams in two years. She also bolstered girls rugby league at club level with the Gatton Hawks.

“I ended up with four teams within four years,’’ she said. “At it’s still strong now I’ve left.’’

Growing up with a strong family connection to rugby league where girls didn’t play, Ryan is thrilled to see the changes taking place after previous eras of exclusion.

She is now delighted to see the growing support for girls rugby league at schools like Ipswich State High.

“The interest in the students, their parents and the wider community is unbelievable,’’ Ryan said.

Next year, the plans are to include a stand-alone year 11 team while further developing the senior girls.

The Ipswich State High School rugby league team that played in the recent Karyn Murphy Cup finals.

Like boys in the Ipswich State High Academy, the girls also have special field sessions along with their study requirements.

“And the girls like showing up the boys,’’ Ryan said. “They like to start with how many wins they’ve had.

“It’s a really good competitiveness at Ipswich State High School in rugby league overall.’’

Even though the major competitions have finished for the year, the players continue to focus on upskilling for the future.

“So when we walk on to the field next year, we run on as a polished unit,’’ she said.

Ryan said participation in rugby league was also important for girls who don’t make it to higher level competitions.

“We’ve looked at other avenues for them as well,’’ she said.

“For example, leadership roles, audio visual technicians and equipment managers within the program for the girls to go to . . . to upskill themselves to get a job later on.’’

Having Brigginshaw highly visible at the school is also invaluable.

“I love seeing her at training, the girls love seeing her at training,’’ Ryan said.

“The first thing that she said was getting on those boots and training girls.’’

Sarah Ryan is thrilled to see the Ipswich State High girls progressing at school and club level.

Ryan was also involved as assistant coach of the inaugural Ipswich Jets under-19 this year, eager to help the program improve in 2022.

“So my girls in year 11 and 12, who are in that team, can progress to a higher level for our community,’’ she said.

“A lot of the strategies they put in place with that comp, I’ve tried to mirror or start to develop at school level so when they get to the higher level, they know what to do.’’

St.George Bank has provided valuable grant assistance for the past three years, helping schools, teams and organisations across the four footy codes.

St.George Bank awarded its biggest commitment of $250,000 through this year’s Footy Grants program. More than $110,000 was given to help Queensland footy clubs and community members.