Rockhampton junior Shauna Barnham to don Maroon for under-19 interstate rugby league clash

A former coach has likened Rockhampton product Shauna Barnham’s skills to those of the legendary Preston Campbell and Scott Prince. She will get to showcase them for the Queensland under-19 women’s team this week.

Shauna Barnham will represent the Queensland under-19 women in the interstate clash against New South Wales in Sydney. Photo: QRL

Her silky skills have been compared to those of league legends Preston Campbell and Scott Prince and now Shauna Barnham will get to showcase them in a highly anticipated interstate clash.

The Rockhampton product will line up in the Queensland under-19 side that tackles New South Wales at Sydney’s Leichhardt Oval at 5.45pm on Thursday.

The selection caps a big year for the 19-year-old who starred for the BMD Premiership runners-up Norths and was part of the Queensland Sapphires squad which contested the women’s national championships in March.

Barnham played all of her junior footy in Rockhampton and was part of the CQ Capras system before moving to Brisbane to finish her senior schooling at Marsden State High.

Shauna Barnham in action for the CQ Capras.

She is joined in the Queensland line-up by The Cathedral College graduate Caitlin Tanner, another exciting half who debuted with Wynnum Manly in the BMD Premiership this year.

Barnham receives a glowing appraisal from Amanda Ohl, who lured the dynamic playmaker back to the Capras in her last year of coaching their women’s team in 2023.

Unfortunately, the teenager suffered a serious injury that sidelined her early in the season, but Ohl recalls how she played an “absolute blinder” in her debut game in Round 5 against Norths.

“She’s just talent all over,” Ohl said.

“If you want a comparison, I think Preston Campbell or Scott Prince, those sort of players who just have something special about them.

“She can turn a game; she has the ability to read a game and the ability to just be in the right place at the right time.

Shauna Barnham had a stellar season with the Norths Devils in the 2024 BMD Premiership.

“She comes from a touch background and has a beautiful pass, great organisational skills and a brilliant short kicking game too.

“She’s a pocket rocket; she’s short in stature but don’t question her defence at all.”

Ohl said Barnham would get a great opportunity behind a strong Queensland forward pack on Thursday night.

“She’s surrounded by some really good footballers,” she said.

“As a half, she needs go-forward and I know some of those forwards in that under-19 side so I think she’ll be able to play some really good attacking football.

“The field should open up for her.”