Broncos NRLW prospect Hannah Forbes to represent the Australian women’s under 18 touch team

Brisbane Broncos NRLW prospect Hannah Forbes will represent the Australian women’s under 18 touch football team against New Zealand on January 24. The Kenmore Hills resident earned selection in the Trans-Tasman Series to be staged in Newcastle.

Brisbane Broncos NRLW prospect Hannah Forbes will represent the Australian women’s under 18 touch football team against New Zealand on January 24.

The Kenmore Hills resident earned selection in the Trans-Tasman Series to be staged in Newcastle despite being aged just 16.

A member of the Uni Rebels touch club, Forbes started in the sport after being raised in a touch football family.

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“My parents both played touch, but especially my dad who was my coach when I first started and still is,’’ Forbes said.

“But both my parents encouraged me to first start playng.’’

Australian touch football player Hannah Forbes.

Forbes, a Brisbane State High School student and past Kenmore State School pupil, said her love of the sport and the people around it contributed to her enjoyment which helped with her individual success.

“What I like about touch is that it’s somewhere I know I belong,’’ Forbes said.

“I have met a lot of friends there and for that reason touch has become a family for me which is why I love it so much.

“I also love the competitiveness and thrill of big games.’’

Forbes’ face is also familiar to the running community around the Kenmore Hills where she is part of Lizel Moore’s renowned distance squad. Former triathlete Moore is a Sydney 2000 Olympian.

Hannah Forbes, third from the right, as an athletics junior with Patrick Thygesen, left, Australian cross country representative Keira Moore and Lochlan Gorringe, who are all still outstanding athletes.

“I do athletics and cross country and am coached by Lizel,’’ Forbes said.

“It is very useful to be fit or fast in touch, so in that way it is linked to athletics and cross country.’’

Forbes is also well and truly on the Broncos’ radar.

Indeed while making the Australian under 18 touch team is her No. 1 achievement, second was being asked to train with the Broncos open women’s NRL training squad last year.

When asked to name her sporting heroes, she nominated Broncos training squad members Hayley Maddick, Kimberley Sue-See and Emily Hennessey