National Schoolgirls Cup sent for kick off in round 1
The National Schoolgirls Cup will kick start on Wednesday featuring super rugby league talent. Here we list round 1 teams, along with 40 key Players to Watch.
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The National Schoolgirls Cup will start its engines for a short, sharp season on Wednesday.
National champions Mabel Park SHS, powerhouses Ipswich SHS and Marsden SHS, Gold Coast’s Keebra Park SHS and the emerging St James College will play.
QUEENSLAND EMERGING UNDER-19 GIRLS MAROONS SQUAD
Mabel Park SHS will again be a benchmark, the depth of the school’s program highlighted by the strength of its round 1 team despite the absence of Mariah Brown (Queensland under-19s), Australian schoolgirls Kaylani Tavita and Armarni-Lea Auvae, and Mamele Misa.
But don’t forget Ipswich were a whisker from winning the state grand final last season, while Marsden SHS and Keebra Park SHS will be spearheaded by two of the outstanding young halves, Lili Lewis (Marsden) and Torah Luadaka (Keebra SHS).
LANGER TROPHY ROUND 3
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And in an exciting development, St James College, has won promotion to match it with arguably the strongest schoolgirl league schools in the nation.
St James started its Brave and Bold themed girls program last season, although the college has been associated with the code for more than 100 years.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Mercedez Taulelei-Siala (Ipswich SHS)
The Australian schoolgirls winger has moved from Marsden SHS where she had tremendous success to help make Ipswich SHS an even better side in 2024. A smooth mover as a centre, winger or fullback, Taulelei-Siala will start the season at halfback.
Shalom Sauaso (Ipswich SHS)
Local junior Shalom Sauaso is an elite halve with high class ball skills and vision you cannot coach - coupled with a wonderful attacking kicking game. The more she handles the ball, the better for Ipswich SHS.
Easter Taualai (Ipswich SHS)
Easter Taualai is one of the boom under-17 players in her age group. She is a mobile No.13 who can play with the impact of a bull dozing middle player, but also use her speed to angle wider while also having clever distribution skills. She is also a strong defender.
Orianna Clark and Tiresa Elika (Ipswich SHS)
Ipswich SHS were in good hands with Clark playing either in the middle or on the edge. although she will miss round 1. She had a bumper club season with the Brisbane Tigers. Elika has an outstanding forward, a proven performer who will add plenty of punch when she comes on.
Ariana Henderson (Ipswich SHS)
This time honoured junior adds versatility to the squad by starting the season at centre. But her footy street smarts and execution means she could also feature closer to the action at anytime.
Tiresa Elika (Ipswich SHS)
Yet another tried and tested performance, the versatile Elika can play any position in the pack. She has been identified as one of the state’s best players in her age group after making the Queensland Maroons under-19 emerging squad.
Ipswich SHS wildcard watch: Emily Jackwitz (wing)
Emily Jackwitz is a tough and elusive winger with a bright future in rugby league. She is a Queensland representative for rugby 7’s and recently represented MW in Rugby League in the centres. She makes her return to the titans cup this year after debuting last year.
Memphis Tanielu (St James)
The daughter of former NRL player Rob, Tanielu was outstanding in her appearances for Norths Devils in both the under-17s and under-19s earlier this season as a prop. She made our Harvey girls 17s Team of the Season as an elite middle forward and is a co-captain of St James.
Aspen York (St James)
One of three co-captains at St James - Memphis Tanielu and Layla Satiu were also in the leadership group - York has been identified by the Brisbane Broncos. She has Harvey girls experience with Redcliffe and made the Met East side as a halfback.
Layla Satui (St James)
Satui will keep the opposition jumping with her incursions from fullback, both around the ruck and in open play. She is another co-captain.
Jessica Ivey (St James)
Ivey will bring defensive clout to the St James middle forward brigade. A lock who plays club football for Aspley, she will inspire teammates with her defensive efforts.
St James wildcard watch: Maddi Blacker, the sister of ex-NRL prop and Norths forward Eddie, and five-eight Ellycr Tighe, the daughter of former NRL player Brad.
Nazlyn Waaka-Rhind (Mabel Park SHS)
Identified by the Canterbury Bulldogs, fullback Waaka-Rhind was a Queensland under-18 representative who absorbed pressure at the back with ease, while offering dangerous running around the ruck.
Katalina Setiu (Mabel Park SHS)
Watch for this sleek mover to impact games with her speed and elusive running. A Queensland seven-a-side under-18 representative, her pace makes her an x-factor player.
Danielle Tutakangahau (Mabel Park SHS)
The NRL national championship winner and halfback has been at the steering wheel of so much of Mabel Park’s success. She so often pulls the right strings, a playmaker who knows her game well, and knows what buttons to press to get the best out of her side. She is a member of the Broncos academy.
Alice Shannon (Mabel Park SHS)
Shannon will be the competition’s most imposing front rower, bring with her volumes of experience gathered in school, Queensland schoolgirl and Australian schoolgirl camps.
Harlem Walker and Amanii Misa (Mabel Park SHS)
No.13 Misa will be one of the competition’s defenders, while athletic edge forward Walker was an exciting ball runner who will cause plenty of grief with her carries. Both girls were a part of the Broncos under age academy. Misa is the team’s vice-captain.
Mabel Park wildcard watch: Back rower London Pakura who impressed in the brief Harvey Norman under-17 season with Wynnum. She is another in the Broncos academy.
Porche Samson-John (Marsden SHS)
John was a powerful prop forward coming off a strong Harvey Norman series where she earned promotion from under-17s to under-19s at Easts Tigers. Porche is the leader of the pack and will provide plenty of go forward.
Memory and Deleni Paitai (Marsden SHS)
The sisters will pack down on either side of the scrum in the second row. Both were absolute workhorses in the gym, fantastic runners and aggressive defenders. The sisters will look to shore up Marsden’s edge defence and provide genuine line speed in defence.
Raewyn Olomalii and Enah Desic (Marsden SHS)
Marsden SHS had plenty of one-two punch with these two girls sharing dummy half roles.
Both Queensland representatives, each girl brings something different to the role. Raewyn is explosive off the mark and brings a real defensive edge while Enah, an elite performer for her club the Tigers, possesses a fantastic kicking game and is a cool head in the chaos of the middle.
Evelyn Roberts (Marsden SHS)
Roberts is a thrilling younger player of the competition. She was Player of the Carnival at the recent under-16 state championships and will pack down in the No.13 jersey. Roberts adds extra creativity and attack from the middle of the field. Built low to the ground, Roberts has excellent footwork and will make defences think twice with her passing game.
Lili Lewis (Marsden SHS)
Stepping up to the opens this year, the current under-16 Queensland halfback will get the opportunity to steer this team around. She has a great game sense, combined with a judicious kicking game. She will thrive playing against seniors in this elite competition.
Rina Francis (Marsden SHS)
The Marsden captain, Francis was a workhorse prop who would do all of the tough things needed in the middle of the field. A fantastic communicator who leads by example on and off field, Francis will take the team on her back and lead from the front.
Marsden SHS wildcard watch:Janique Mili (fullback), Nikeisha Ngaru (wing), Kylah Edmonds (five eighth).
Torah Luadaka (Keebra Park SHS)
Queensland has an array of exciting young halves coming through the system and Torah Luadaka is one of those. An elite player for Tweed Seagulls during the club season where she made our Harvey 17s Team of the Season, she can create or score tries. Luadaka is tall and has a goosestep.
Skylah Samson (Keebra Park SHS)
Samson offers explosive pace from the back, and will be a dangerous player when she starts tiptoeing her way around the ruck off the back of quick ruck speed. A member of Tweed Seagulls’s exciting under-17s, she is a South Coast representative who has a touch football background.
Genesis Tupa’I (Keebra Park SHS)
An outstanding centre who made our Harvey Norman under-17 Team of the Season after playing with the Bears, Tupa’I has speed, a radar for tries and strong defence. She is a Queensland under-16 seven-a-side representative as well.
Yamun-Ginda Kelly (Keebra Park SHS)
Kelly was a thrilling centre with natural flair you can see has been honed playing touch in the backyard or down the beach. A representative playmaker, she made the South Coast under-18 representative side.
Sienna Smith (Keebra Park SHS)
The Tweed Seagulls under-19 skipper, Smith brings reliability and a no-nonsense approach to the side. She is an outstanding edge forward who has earned tremendous respect from her peers. She made our Harvey 19s Team of the Season earlier in the year.
Zali Bettridge (Keebra Park SHS)
Halfback Bettridge has been given the honour of leading her school side into the fray. She was outstanding during her club season with the Burleigh Bears, and bounced off that season by making the South Coast under-18s.
Okalani Compton (Keebra Park SHS)
From the Burleigh Bears club, this South Coast representative is one of Queensland’s most promising youngsters who has been identified in both the Queensland 16s and under-17 Emerging Origin squads. She will come roaring off the bench for Keebra Park.
Keebra Park SHS wildcard watch: Shylah Prins
ROUND 1 TEAMS
Ipswich SHS v Mabel Park SHS, North Ipswich Reserve
Ipswich SHS: 1. Pauline Moliga, 2. Aminata Komba, 3. Bailey Sorbello, 4. Ariana Henderson, 5. Emily Jackwitz, 6. Shalom Sauaso, 7. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, 8. Lina Tanielu, 9. Dominika Baleinagasau, 12. Sky-Yvette Faimalie, 11. Lishainah Ulugia, 15. Lilly Shaw, 13. Easter Taualai. Interchange, 14. Tiresa Elika, 15. Ella O’Dea, 16. Lyla Duffy. 17 Emalini Waqairatu, 18. Summer Hoet
Mabel Park SHS: 1. Nazlyn Waaka-Rhind, 2. Tyrah O’Connor-Cox, 3. Heaven-Leigh Reuben-Callaghan, 4. Katalina Setiu, 5. Zeon Pirangi-Ripia, 6. Tiahna Kanawi, 7. Danielle Tutakangahau (c), 8. Taleigha Kingston-Francis, 9. Nikolina Fangupo, 10. Alice Shannon, 11. Nyeema Tuua, 12. Harlem Walker, 13. Amanii Misa, 14. London Pakura, 15. Lauryn Martin, 16. Tupoutua King, 17. Sharlene Vaili.
St James College v Keebra Park SHS, TWW Stadium
Keebra Park SHS: 1. Skylah Samson, 2. Genesis Tupa’I, 3. Elizabeth Ngahe, 4. Yamun-Ginda Kelly, 5. Nikola MacDonald, 6. Zali Bettridge (C), 7. Torah Luadaka, 8. Mercedez Lisone-Siaea, 9. Diamond Graham, 10. Eta Sikahele, 11. Sienna Smith, 12. Chelsea Coleman, 14. Okalani Compton, 15. Tedashii Cora, 16. Amity Burke, 17. Brianna Dance, 18. Shylah Prins.
St James College TBC:
SEASON DRAW
Round 1
Ipswich SHS v Mabel Park SHS, North Ipswich Reserve
St James College v Keebra Park SHS, TWW Stadium
Bye – Marsden SHS
Round 2
Keebra Park SHS v Marsden, Southport Tigers
Mabel Park SHS v St James College, TWW Stadium
Bye – Ipswich SHS
Round 3
Ipswich SHS v Keebra Park SHS, North Ipswich Reserve
Marsden SHS v St James College, Marsden SHS
Bye – Mabel Park SHS
Round 4
Keebra Park SHS v Mabel Park SHS, Southport Tigers
Marsden SHS v Ipswich SHS, Marsden SHS
Bye – St James College
Round 5
Mabel Park SHS v Marsden SHS, Mabel Park SHS
St James College v Ipswich SHS, TWW Stadium
Bye – Keebra Park SHS
Semi-finals: TBC
Queensland final: August 29
National final: TBC
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