'I wish I had a pathway in rugby league at that time'
KILLARNEY footballer breaks the glass ceiling to show young girls their dream to play national footy can be a reality.
Warwick
Don't miss out on the headlines from Warwick. Followed categories will be added to My News.
STEPHANIE Hancock dreamed of playing in an NRL women's competition and believes Sunday's grand final in Sydney has shown young girls that women's national club footy is now a reality.
On Sunday, former Killarney junior Stephanie Hancock and past Scots PGC College student Heather Ballinger were part of the Brisbane Broncos team that beat Sydney Roosters 34-12 in the inaugural NRLW grand final.
"Girls from the Darling Downs can now see a pathway right through the sport,” she said.
"It was a surreal feeling to play in the grand final and one of the proudest moments of my career.”
Ms Hancock was the first girl to play with the Eastern Suburbs junior club in Warwick.
"I was watching my brother Josh played rugby league, watched some videos of Dad's games, was always watching Killarney Cutters games and just loved rugby league,” she said.
She played three seasons in the boy's competition with Suburbs in younger age groups before she wasn't allowed to play in the older age groups.
"I then played everything else, football, cricket, netball, tennis and competed in athletics,” she said.
"I wish I had a pathway in rugby league at that time.”
There is a strong chance Ms Hancock may never had played rugby league if it wasn't for a social game between women's teams from Killarney and Warwick in 2003.
"I remember Killarney won the game,” she said.
There was even a little cricket on Sunday before the grand final with the Killarney superstar hitting a six in a social match before being bowled next ball.
”It was a fun day at the NRLW grand final with 20 of my best mates, we just relaxed and enjoyed the moment,” Ms Hancock said.
"I honestly haven't enjoyed a day so much, my family and my partner Monique were there.
"I was surprised at the numbers at the fan day on Monday.”
Future of dormant recreational facility remains uncertain
The future of a dormant Southern Downs recreational facility remains undetermined as council’s social housing proposition comes to a halt.
Tenant’s beef with landlord over sausages ends in court
A man told police he ‘thought he was going to die’ after being assaulted by his tenant when a feud over sausages turned violent. Here’s how he was snagged.