Tweed Seagulls front-rower Serena Martin thriving on division one footy

Serena Martin has been hailed as one of the “unsung heroes” in Tweed’s inaugural South East Queensland women’s rugby league division one season.

SERENA Martin has been hailed as one of the “unsung heroes” in Tweed’s inaugural South East Queensland women’s rugby league division one season.

The 32-year-old joined the Seagulls after spending 2018 with division three club Mudgeeraba.

She mightn’t boast blistering speed or flashy skills but what Martin brings to the table is work ethic and plenty of it.

So much has she impressed, she earnt a place in the SEQ Green side that competed in the QRL State Championships at Southport three weeks ago.

SIGN UP FOR OUR FULL ON FOOTY GOLD COAST RUGBY LEAGUE NEWSLETTER

“I had played for five years and had never really had a look in for that,” Martin said of the honour.

Serena Martin (third from right). Picture: Scott Powick

The front-rower had been searching for a new challenge at the end of last year and saw playing under former Kiwi Ferns coach Kelvin Wright at Tweed as the ideal development opportunity.

Top-tier footy has brought out the best in her, driven by her competitive instincts.

“I was actually really not interested in sport growing up,” Martin said.

BOYLE BACK TO HER BEGINNINGS IN BLUES DEBUT

“I think it was maybe my mid-20s when a friend said ‘come play Oztag’ and I said ‘what’s Oztag’?

“I played that for a year or two and then the same friend said ‘I’ve started playing league, come have a go at league’ and I went ‘yeah, all right’.

Serena Martin takes a hit-up for Tweed. Picture: James Owen

“I have always been a very competitive person and I have found a good outlet for it.”

Wright has liked what he has seen.

“She is fit as, she has improved out of sight and does her job,” he said. “She has turned into a really solid, consistent player for us.”

FORMER ISC HALF ON THE PATH TO NRL’S PINNACLE

Tweed registered their third win of the season last weekend against Toowoomba but now face a stiff task in the form of hosting leaders Wests Brisbane at Piggabeen Sports Complex on Saturday without representative trio Jessika Elliston (Queensland), CJ Sims and Teaghan Hartigan (both Fiji).

As for Burleigh, they will be out to bounce back from a loss to Easts when they head west to take on Toowoomba on Sunday.