Young Charli Hardy making big impression on touch stage

Charli Hardy caps stellar year of representative touch with selection in Queensland Girls Merit Team.

Rockhampton touch star Charli Hardy has had a year to remember, capped by her inclusion in the Queensland primary schools merit team. Photo: Touch Football Australia

Charli Hardy is the pocket rocket whose touch career has really taken off this year.

The 11-year-old was recently named in the Queensland Girls Merit Team at the state primary schools 10 to 12 years championships in Townsville.

Her selection came after a standout performance for Capricornia, which finished fourth.

Fellow Rockhampton players Ollie Hinds and Eli Landsberg, who were co-captains of the winning Capricornia boys side, also earned Queensland honours.

Charli’s Queensland selection caps what has been a big year for the little star after she also represented the Rocky Redbacks at the Junior State Cup and the CQ Bulls at the National Youth Championships.

“When they said my name, I was in shock and I was very, very happy,” she said.

Charli Hardy and her Capricornia teammates.

Charli plays in the middles, a position that keeps her heavily involved in the game.

“It’s good to be creating the plays and helping organise the girls,” she said.

“My ultimate goal is to play consistently and to be positive on the field.”

Charli’s dad Kane, who is well known in rugby league circles, could not be prouder.

He couldn’t make it to Townsville but wife Jen was there and kept him updated after every game.

“I’ve had some highs with footy, playing and coaching, but nothing will replace that moment when Jen rang up and told me Charli had made the Queensland team,” he said.

“It was a very emotional moment, there were some tears of joy.”

Kane said Charli loved her touch and was always in the backyard fine-tuning her skills with siblings Darcy and Isabel, who also play.

Charli had also been fortunate to have some great coaches, including her club coach Jay Chopping and development officer Tracy Upton.

“Tracy’s really had a big influence on Charli,” Kane said. “What she’s done to develop her game and the time and effort she puts in is amazing.”

Tracy said that from the first training, she could see that Charli was a special player.

“She mixes it with the best. She just kept turning up and put all the training she learnt into her games and was a standout,” she said.

“Her positive attitude towards her teammates lifts them as well.

“It comes as no surprise that Charli made the Queensland team, and I’m looking forward to working with and watching her in the future.”