‘She’s one of the stars’: Queensland schoolgirls prodigy Skyla Adams leading Roosters to glory

Schoolgirl prodigy Skyla Adams made history at 16 in rugby union. Now the Queenslander is ready to lead the Roosters to a historic feat of their own in the Tarsha Gale Cup grand final.

Skyla Adams of the Sydney Roosters and Keebra Park. Picture: Thomas Lisson/Jerad Williams

WHEN Skyla Adams was approached after lighting it up in a Schoolgirls fixture, she had no idea it would lead her to one of the game’s biggest powerhouses.

The talented Queensland half was strutting her stuff for renowned league school Keebra Park, where she caught the eye of opposing scouts.

“I was playing school footy back in Queensland and we played against Mabel Park,” Adams said.

“The Roosters are linked with them, and I got approached after the game. I wasn’t really expecting much from the game, it’s the first time it happened to me.

“It was quite a tough decision. At the time I was talking to the Reds through rugby union where I played the previous year.

“But I wanted to give this a crack. and have a go at league outside of Queensland.”

Skyla Adams studied at Keebra Park. Picture: Jerad Williams

An outstanding athlete across both codes, Adams made her Super W debut for Queensland at just 16 years of age last year.

Luckily for league, a burning desire to continue her growth saw her take up an opportunity to join the Roosters Indigenous Academy for this year’s Tarsha Gale Cup.

“Both union and league are growing for females. I just wanted that development outside of Queensland,” she said.
“A big goal of mine, if not now in the future, is to be in the NRLW. As of now I’m here to continue developing.

“The Roosters are really professional with the way they treat us and the standards set. They appreciate the hard work that we put in.”

That hard work has led them to this weekend’s grand final at Leichhardt Oval, where the Roosters face off with Canterbury.

In a rare feat, both teams come into the fixture without losing in 2023, and have been the two standout sides from the opening round.

It’s a clash that has Adams excited, with some very prominent people close to her making the journey down from the Sunshine State.

Skyla Adams of the Sydney Roosters. Picture: Thomas Lisson.

“I’m very confident with the team we have and the coaching staff as well. There are a few nerves there too,” she said.

“We haven’t done too much review on them, but they are a strong team. We’re both quite similar in the way we play, and they have a real tough forward pack.

“My mum, dad and brother are all coming down to watch. They’ve paid money to come down here so I hope we can put on a show.”

Roosters coach Blake Cavallaro is full of praise for the star recruit, who said she has shown a great maturity in her time in Sydney.

“We saw her play in Queensland and her footy ability was well above her years,” Cavallaro said.

“She knows when to run, pass and kick, and she’s a great organiser. I think she’s one of the stars in the Tarsha Gale competition.

“She’s still only 17. She could play another year (of Tarsha Gale Cup), but hopefully she’s onto bigger and better things.”

He summed up the common sentiment ahead of this weekend’s blockbuster.

“We’re very excited. Everyone has been waiting to see these two team play and the girls are definitely looking forward to it.”