CIS 16s players to watch as girls chase Australian Secondary Schools rugby league history

There are daughters of NRL greats, rising stars with dogged defence and others with great footy IQ. The CIS 16s girls who could shock at the ASSRL championships.

The CIS girls team are playing at the ASSRL event for the first time.

NSW CIS girls coach Steve Hooper hasn’t had much time with his young charges but he’s surprised by how well they have come together and believes they have the potential to surprise at the upcoming Australian Secondary schools rugby league championships.

The girls squad, playing at the event for the first time in history, is bursting with talent from both Sydney and regional areas and as far away as Tweed Heads.

“It’s not a big team but very skilful,’’ said Hooper, a maths teacher at Parkes Christian College.

“They came together in a first training session on the weekend and did very well.

“I’m very happy with the way it went and the way they came together.

“They are like sponges, so keen to learn because they haven't had so much exposure to league and they ask for advice.

The CIS girls team are playing at the ASSRL event for the first time.

“Their skill and speed could surprise.’’

CIS rugby league convener Andrew Hutchinson has identified a number of players to watch fin the girls squad at the upcoming championships at Port Macquarie later this month.

Jade Elford, St Paul’s Grammar School, Cranebrook

Played Lisa Fiola Cup this year and is the daughter of Shane Elford, a former NRL player for Penrith and Wests Tigers. Has played NSW level touch football and is on the comeback from an ACL injury. Plays fullback.

Dior O’Davis, St Phillips Christian College, Waratah

Also has strong rugby league bloodlines with her father Robbie O “Davis, a two-time NRL premiership winning player. also played Lisa Fiola and was outstanding at recent trials in both attack and defence.

Ruby Anderson Central Coast Sports College, Kariong

One of numerous talented NSW rugby sevens players in the squad.

She also made CIS rugby sevens squad but has only been playing rugby league for a year.

A member of the Emerging Sky Blues squad.

The CIS girls squad at their first training session.

Millie Parker Central Coast Sports College, Kariong

From the same school as Anderson and another young football talent to keep an eye on at the championships. She will play in the second row.

Regan Simpson, New England Girls School, Armidale

Has plenty of travel to get to training but another young gun to watch at the upcoming championships. Will play in the halves, centre

Olivia Saley Central Coast Sports College, Kariong

The Central Coats has plenty of talent in this squad. Sales is a utility and in her second year playing for CIS. She has a high work rate and is dogged in defence.

Tiggi Groves Lindisfarne Anglican College, Tweed Heads

One of the CIS props and has been involved with the famous club, the Burleigh Bears.

She is very good and strong in the front row.

The daughter of Newcastle Knights premiership-winning fullback Robbie O'Davis is in the squad.

Milla Caine MLC School, Burwood

She is with the Cronulla Sharks Lisa Fiola squad and a player who impressed at trials. She is a hooker and edge player.

Mahlie Cashin, Central Coast Sports College, Kariong

A real talent who played in the Country 17s rugby league team a year young. A hooker who has a great footy brain, doesn’t shirk in defence and is versatile.

CIS 16S GIRLS RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM

1 Jade Elford St Paul’s Grammar School, Cranebrook, 2 Makenzi Nelson Scone Grammar School, Scone, 3 Mia Vaotu’ua Regents Park Christian School, Regents Park, 4 Dior O’Davis St Phillips Christian College, Waratah, 5 Modesty Tafeuni Regents Park Christian School, Regents Park, 6 Addie Hagan Scone Grammar School, Scone, 7 Talea Tonga Pittwater House, Collaroy, 8 Evie Gimbert Scone Grammar School, Scone, 9 Mahlie Cashin, Central Coast Sports College, Kariong, 10 Tiggi Groves Lindisfarne Anglican College, Tweed Heads, 11 Millie Parker Central Coast Sports College, Kariong, 12 Rubie Drake-Brockman Hunter Valley Grammar School, Ashtonfield, 13 Ruby Anderson Central Coast Sports College, Kariong, 14 Olivia Saley Central Coast Sports College, Kariong, 15 Timelia Seuala Mt Annan Christian College, Mt Annan, 16 TBA, 17 Emilee-Rose Hall Central Coast Sports College, Kariong, 18 Milla Caine MLC School, Burwood, 19 Madison Massey Central Coast Sports College, Kariong, 20 Regan Simpson, New England Girls School, Armidale.

Coach: Mr Steve Hooper Parkes Christian School Parkes. Manager: Miss Ashleigh Rosenbaum Central Coast Sports College, Kariong, Asst Coach: Mr Gerard Osborne St Luke’s Grammar School, Dee Why.

The ASSRL Nationals U15s boys and U16s Girls nationals at Port Macquarie will be exclusively live streamed on KommunityTV from September 23-29.

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Originally published as CIS 16s players to watch as girls chase Australian Secondary Schools rugby league history