Burleigh forward Chelsea Lenarduzzi determined to hang on to Jillaroos jersey as she enters Gold Coast camp

She will spend four days bonding with her Jillaroos teammates but Burleigh’s Chelsea Lenarduzzi won’t be gifting her jersey to any of them without a fight.

SHE will spend four days bonding with her Jillaroos teammates but Chelsea Lenarduzzi won’t be gifting her jersey to any of them without a fight.

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The 24-year-old forward is one of five Burleigh stars who today gathered with 24 other leading women’s players, including Tweed’s Tarryn Aiken, for a four-day-day Jillaroos camp on the Gold Coast.

With next year’s World Cup in England on the horizon, fellow Bears Millie Boyle, Karina Brown, Tazmin Gray and Tallisha Harden have joined her at the camp ahead of another groundbreaking year for female football.

JILLAROO’S MOTIVATION BEHIND ‘GIRLS CAN TOO’ CAMP

A Queensland Origin representative in 2017 and 2019, Lenarduzzi broke through for a maiden Jillaroos appearance in October’s 28-8 win over New Zealand, just three weeks after leading Brisbane to back-to-back NRL Women’s crowns.

With the inaugural QRL Women’s competition also kicking off next weekend, she is determined to build on last season’s success and keep her Test jumper for this year’s battle with the Kiwis.

Jillaroos camp members (front row) Chelsea Lenarduzzi and Millie Boyle with (back row) Tallisha Harden, Karina Brown, Tarryn Aiken and Tazmin Gray. Picture: Jerad Williams

“(The camp) is about growing the culture of the Jillaroos and getting us all together because there’s not many games we play together as a team,” the three-time national shot put champion said.

“It’s a good way to start the season because nobody has started any round games, even though we’ve got lots of other things on. Another part of the camp (is) setting individual goals as well - things you need to work on, things you’re good at.

‘THEY’VE GIVEN THEMSELVES THE BEST CHANCE OF BEING IN THE SIDE’

“Ideally I want to keep my jersey in the Jillaroos team, hopefully play well for Burleigh (in the QRLW), for the Broncos in the NRLW and Origin as well. Being here you get reminded there are a lot of people here trying to get a Jillaroos jersey.”

Lenarduzzi in action for the Broncos. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Wainwright

Chasing a fifth-straight SEQ division 1 title, Burleigh’s run of dominance came to an end as West Brisbane prevailed 20-8 in August’s premiership decider.

With a grand final rematch looming in Round 1 of the QRLW at Pizzey Park on March 15, Lenarduzzi said the Bears would be out for revenge.

FORMER TITAN EARNS SECOND NRL CHANCE

“Obviously the team’s been established for a few years now and had some success and the culture has been built so we’re taking that into the QRLW. It has gone to that extra level of professionalism,” she said.

“We’re definitely taking it very seriously and would like to redeem ourselves a little bit from last year. It’s going to be quite a tough competition.”

The QRL today announced the new eight-team competition would officially be known as the BHP Premiership.