Kali’s selected for NSW Country

Casino student and Lismore Rugby Union Club talent Kali Ainsworth has been selected to play for NSW Country U16 Girls.

NSW COUNTRY: Lismore Rugby Union Club player Kali Ainsworth, 15, said she is thrilled to be selected for the NSW Country U16 Girls team. Photo: Alison Paterson

A Northern Rivers teen who has been selected to play for a Rugby Union NSW Country team was looking for emulate her heroine, Olympic gold medallist Charlotte Caslick and work hard for a career in the game.

Lismore Rugby Union Club player Kali Ainsworth, 15, said she was thrilled to have been named in the NSW Country U16 Girls Team.

Kali said she was stoked with the news after enjoying a robust carnival at Kiama several weeks ago, as part of the Mid-North Coast team held on the first weekend of May, 2021.

A Year 10 student at St Mary’s Catholic College in Casino, Kali has been playing for five years.

She said she was going to make the most of every opportunity which comes her way on and off the field.

TOUGH TACKLING: Lismore Rugby Union Club Kali Ainsworth, 15, (far left) shows her grit dung for a game for Mind-North Coast U16 Girls team in Kiama ahead of being selected for the NSW Country U16 squad.

Speaking at Crozier Field last week, Kali said she’s going to make every effort to be worthy of the faith that selectors have made in choosing her for the team.

“This is really good news, it’s really exciting, I am really proud to be running out with these amazing girls on the team” Kali said.

“I was asked to play hooker for the Mid-North Coast team and I normally play flanker.

“We did well, we won two and lost two, so came third.”

Kali who currently plays in the U15 year old age group mixed team with her male teammates at Lismore Rugby Union Club, also runs out with the Gold Coast Renegades in sevens rugby.

“I hope to bring my running, tackling and defensive skills to the NSW Country team,” she said.

“What I love about playing rugby union is the game and being part of an amazing team full of other players who also love the game.”

Now Kali was preparing to head to Narrabeen in Sydney’s northern beaches for the first NSW Country U16 Girls game.

“As well as going to training, I also run and go to the gym,” she said.

“One day I hope to be selected to play for NSW in the Waratahs, I’d like to have a professional career like Charlotte Caslick (2016 Olympic gold medal player and Australian Sevens Representative).”

As well playing well, Kali said she strives to be a good role model for younger players.