Future NRLW stars ready to perform for Queensland Sapphires
Two Sunshine Coast women will take their skills to the next level after they were selected in the Queensland under 19 Sapphires rugby league team.
Sunshine Coast
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Two rising Sunshine Coast rugby league talents have earnt their spots in the Queensland under-19 Sapphires team ahead of the Women’s National Championships on the Gold Coast from June 9 to 12.
Caboolture Snakes second rower Grace Giampino, 18, and Caloundra Sharks playmaker Makayla Everding, 17, were selected in the final 20-player squad after two gruelling training camps alongside the state’s top female players.
The women are set to play representative teams from every state and push for selection in the Queensland under-19s team that would play New South Wales in the State Of Origin clash.
Giampino said they were both very excited for the weeks ahead.
“I was absolutely thrilled as I know we were both pretty nervous and weren't expecting to be selected,” she said.
“The intensity and skill level of the camps were very high and the staff were calculating everything we did so you had to be on top of it all as it was make or break.”
The Sunshine Coast Falcons pairing also played alongside each other in 2021 in the Queensland Country women's team.
Everding, who only made the switch from rugby 7s to rugby league in 2020, said the selection was a huge honour.
“I play as a five-eighth and being the youngest in the team I’ve already learnt so much from my teammates and the coaching staff,” she said.
“My skills are improving a lot so I’m looking forward to the game and what’s still to come.”
Giampino said she was looking forward to working with the elite level coaching staff.
“There’s so many great mentors like Chelsea Baker and Tahnee Norris who is one of many legends to create the pathway for women in league,” Giampino said.
“Meg Ward is the assistant coach too so for her as an ex-Broncos, Maroons and Australian player to be sharing her advice and lessons from her experiences is incredible.”
Both players said it was still early days in pursuit of their NRLW careers but hoped they could continue to perform well.
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