Mackay Rugby W competition: Supercoach mum to follow daughter

She may already coach three Whitsunday junior women’s rugby teams but one supercoach mum is set to ditch the clipboard for a pair of footy boots. Read what she hopes to inspire in the players she coaches.

She may already coach three Whitsunday junior women’s rugby teams but Jade Karger is set to ditch the clipboard for a pair of footy boots.

Karger has joined the inaugural Proserpine/Whitsunday women’s side, and will follow in the footsteps of her long-time playing daughter Bella in one of the many remarkable stories of the launch of Mackay’s Rugby W competition.

She said it was the enjoyment she received from watching the girls that had inspired the move.

“I’ve done it to show my girls that it is possible at any age,” Karger said.

“I think coaching the girls and seeing them succeed and them give it a go, has just given me the boost, even though I’m in my mid-30s.”

Being such a major part of the junior women’s program, Karger is thrilled her girls will have somewhere to play once they outgrow the junior ranks.

“It is really important because then they have a clear idea of where they can go in rugby and the opportunities that are out there for them,” she said.

“I think the biggest thing that has come of our game is opportunities, so we are getting more and more women playing, and young girls getting game time.

“We are creating that atmosphere for more women to come in.”

The junior program was launched about three years ago in the Whitsundays.

Karger became involved when she saw girls being “put on the back foot” by slack coaching.

“I had enough of it, so I stood up and said ‘that’s not good enough, women deserve the same opportunities’,” she said.

“I stuck my hand up and I’ve just been going for gold ever since.”

Since, she has seen the amazing impact it has had on many of the girls’ confidence.

Karger said the benefits extended far beyond their time on the field.

“Women haven’t had a whole lot of opportunity so getting them on equal level with the males in the sport and their confidence, ability and their want to succeed, I really enjoy seeing,” she said.

It is this positive impact and her “why not” mindset, that has inspired her move to play, an experience her coaching background has made easier.

The Mackay Rugby W competition will officially kick off on July 16 when Whitsunday/Proserpine takes on Slade Point.

Kuttabul and Moranbah will also field teams, while Bowen will play exhibition games in hope of securing a team for future seasons.