Top 30 U14 and U16s rugby girls to watch from country and regional NSW
Fast, ferocious and with talent to burn. Meet 30 top under 14 and under 16s rugby girls to watch from country and regional NSW now and in the future.
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They are electric, fast, punishing defenders, on-field marshals and our generation next of women’s rugby stars - in both the 15s and sevens games.
Super talented young guns at three new regional rugby academies established by the NSW Waratahs and Rugby for Good program to help grow the female side of the sport and enhance pathways.
Last weekend they meet for the first time in a mini Regional Pathways tournament at Dubbo where the Waratahs Women were in camp ahead of the Super W season. STARS, RESULT WRAP
“It’s the first time for the three academies and we are aiming for more growth next year,’’ said program manager Joey de Dassel who works for the NSW Positive Rugby Foundation.
With the help of de Dassel and coaching staff from the Academies we’ve compiled a list of some of the most exciting young players to watch - now and in the future.
UNDER 14S RUGBY PLAYERS TO WATCH
Anna Scott, Illawarra, South West Academy
Hails from the Illawarra. This youngster will be strong with the ball and attacks with her defence. She is expected to make a mark in Dubbo. A No.8.
Zahli Millstead, Orange, South West Academy
Plays in the second row and hails from Orange. This Central West Junior is already turning heads and has been describes as a gentle giant but when she “crosses the white line it’s all rugby”.
Emily Matthews, Dubbo, South West Academy
From Dubbo in the Central West region and the No. 10.
Emily is a natural game manager and known for her organisational skills and great passing game
Stella Davis, Orange, South West Academy
A young back rower who attends Kinross School in Orange who is hard on the ball and likes the rough stuff.
Stella is happy to get amongst it and will be part of a formidable back row for her team.
Lilly Clout, Orange, South West Academy
Another Central West junior from Orange and the No.7.
She is a punishing defender and into everything on the field.
Poppi Flanders, Coffs Harbour, Northern NSW Academy
Attends Bishop Druitt College at Coffs Harbour and plays at No. 10 or No. 12.
She is a talented athlete across numerous sports but has a real love for rugby.
Her coaches believe she has the talent, drive and work ethic to go all the way.
Lorraine Townsend, Moree, Northern NSW Academy
A young hooker and front rower who attends Moree High School.
Plays at the well known Moree Rugby Club and is a dynamic front rower.
Athletic and powerful and dedicated to the cause. She and her family travel 12 hour round trips to get to training.
Isla Von-Mengersen, Kempsey, Northern NSW Academy
A hooker and integral member of the Kempsey Cannonballs premiership winning side in the 2023 boys competition.
She is excited about playing with other girls at this event.
A tough, physical and uncompromising forward who will be crucial for the Northern forward pack.
Pia Wilson, Tamworth, Northern NSW Academy
A second rower used to making an impact.
She has represented NSW Country in the past.
Pia hails from Tamworth and is a leader on the field for the Northern NSW Academy.
Evie Hewens, Port Macquarie, Northern NSW Academy
A backrower from the Port Macquarie Hastings Vikings club.
Comes into the event after time playing in the boys competitions.
Represented NSW Country last year and well known for her huge workrate.
Will be working hard to give the Northern backline their chance to impress.
Rylee Cash, Hunter/Central Coast Academy
Already gaining a name for herself, Rylee is a sharp fly half who reads the game well and has the ability to find space and a pass to put her teammates in it.
She is one of the best all round players for her age and was rewarded with player of the match honours at the City v Country tournament in 2023.
Keira Callaghan. Hunter/Central Coast Academy
A versatile player who can pull on a 10 or 15 jersey.
She has well developed skills and is also a rising leader on the pitch.
Callaghan has energy to burn and consistently shows the competitiveness needed to perform at the next level.
Alissa McNair Hunter/Central Coast Academy
A centre who will not be tackled.
Alissa runs hard and direct and knows how to find the try line.
She comes into her academy with the most rugby experience - seven years - and it shows.
Ella Parker, Hunter/Central Coast Academy
A second rower hailing from Avoca on the Central Coast.
She has great strength, fitness and speed on the ball.
Ella’s sister Millie has just been contracted to the Waratahs Super W squad and Ella is on a similar trajectory.
Matilda Lewer, Hunter/Central Coast Academy
A young hooker/front rower and very versatile.
Strong, dedicated and shows great game understanding.
She has natural leadership skills and captained the Country girls in 2023. She will be a leader for the Central Coast and Hunter Waratahs Academy.
UNDER 16S RUGBY PLAYERS TO WATCH
Maggie Kirby, South West Academy
A young winger with fantastic top end PACE.
Maggie also loves the contact and is a fearsome defender for her Academy.
Tiare Delaney, South West Academy
This front rower is a phenomenal ball carrier.
She will be looking to get the South West team on the front foot with her physicality in the matches at Dubbo.
Molly Adamson, South West Academy
Another standout No. 7 rising talent.
Molly is a fantastic pilferer of the ball.
She will have a field day at the breakdown if the attacking team aren’t on the job
Lilly Clarke, South West Academy
Will wear the No. 10 for her side.
Reasonably new to the game, Lilly is one to watch in the future.
This young gun boasts a great arsenal of ballplayer skills.
Christina Ravudi, South West Academy
A young and dynamic utility player.
Christina is electric with ball in hand and extremely versatile as she is able to play a number of different positions.
Emily Dietrich, Northern NSW Academy
A No. 9, Emily is a talented back who has great experience in both the XV a side and seven-a-side formats.
Has a rocket pass both sides, she’ll be looking to form a formidable combination with the Northern NSW Number 10.
Emily is a NSW Country and NSW representative and has also recently toured Europe with the Australian Raptors.
Lauren Appleby, Northern NSW Academy
Another Moree player and a No. 10 who has plenty of tricks up her sleeve.
With an ability to pass both sides, Lauren is also a game tactician and has a deadly boot.
She is also a current Sydney Swans squad member and can find metres when needed
A rare talent who could go all the way.
Jayla Suey, Northern NSW Academy
A talented front rower from Gunnedah in the Central North.
Like other members of the Northern Squad she spends hours travelling each way to training, showing her dedication to the sport.
Jayla will be keen to make an impact with some hard carries and strong defence.
Isla Gillan, Northern NSW Academy
A second rower who hails from Lennox Head on the NSW Far North Coast.
After an injury in 2023 after some promising years in the game, Isla back firing.
A big, strong and physical second rower who is fit and will not take a backward step.
Stella Lewis, Northern NSW Academy
The No. 8 is from St Columba Anglican School in Port Macquarie and plays a variety of sport.
She is relatively new to rugby having been identified through the school pathway system on the Mid North Coast who is a natural runner and powerful ballrunner.
Maronay Smuts, Hunter/Central Coast Academy
A classy scrumhalf who travels from Singleton to Hunter Sports High daily.
Maronay is a skilful back with great experience having been a member of the Hunter Wildfires Jack Scott Cup team in 2023 as a 15 year old.
Maronay is also a member of the NSW Waratahs Womens training squad and a co-captain of the Hunter/CC team.
A real danger player and a NSW Country rep.
Ruby Anderson, Hunter/Central Coast Academy
A quintessential No. 7 who is fit, skilful, physical and hard on the ball.
She is co-captain of the Hunter/CC team and a current NSW Waratahs women's squad member.
Maia Madden-Khan, Hunter/Central Coast Academy
A winger from the Central Coast Sports college.
Maia is also a talented athletics athlete.
A hard worker who will be dangerous in open space.
Ellie Reichelt, Hunter/Central Coast Academy
A centre, she was a late call up to the Academy after being identified through a school rugby competition.
While she is a little light in experience she hails from a strong rugby family in Port Macquarie.
She is also committed to the game with eight hour round trips to attend training.
Isla Cameron, Hunter/Central Coast Academy
Isla hails from the powerhouse Hunter club, the Maitland Blacks.
She attends Hunter Sports High School and is a powerful front rower with a passion for the game.
Another expected to impress in Dubbo.
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Originally published as Top 30 U14 and U16s rugby girls to watch from country and regional NSW
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