QRLW: 12 teenagers given exemptions to play in new competition
The QRL will allow 12 players under the age of 18 to show-off their skills in the new Women’s Premiership league as the competition kicks-off next weekend.
NRL
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The next generation of female rugby league stars are set to be unveiled in the upcoming QRL Women’s Premiership, with twelve teenagers given age exemptions to play.
The inaugural statewide competition will start next weekend, with the QRL also revealing their female strategy this week.
These are major steps forward for the women’s game in Queensland and the next generation are ready to grab their opportunity.
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The age cut-off for the competition is 18, but a dozen 17-year-olds have been granted exemptions due to their advanced abilities.
One of the 12 is Nakita Tafili-Sao, a forward and student from Mabel Park State High School.
Tafili-Sao, who played for the Queensland under-18s last year, moved to NSW late last year to play for the Canterbury Bulldogs in the Tarsha Gale Cup.
She was lured back by Souths Logan coach Rob Brough, who presented the homesick teen with a choice – stay in Sydney or earn an exemption and play in the QRLW.
“It’s a bigger opportunity and it’s more of a challenge because it’s against women,” Tafili-Sao said.
“It’s a big step but I have a lot of support around me.
“I wouldn’t have got this exemption if Rob didn’t believe in me.
“It was my idea (to move to NSW) … I want to make NRLW one day and Origin at the top level.”
Tafili-Sao has been playing rugby league since she was 10, when she took the game up in honour of her brother Alex who had been diagnosed with cancer.
While Alex is healthy now, he can never play again due to a metal rod in his back.
“He played for Aspley Devils but had to stop,” Tafili-Sao said.
“We used to play bull rush in the backyard with my cousins and we used to smash each other. I just wanted to have a shot and show them that girls can play too.”
Tafili-Sao’s teammate, China Polata, is another promising up-and-comer who will play for Souths this season.
A Broncos development player in 2019, she turned 18 last month.
“It was crazy (to be in the Souths Logan squad) because I still don’t think there’s much to me but Rob (Brough) sees something different,” she said.
“That experience and knowledge is still making it’s way through my head. It will come with time. You can get washed away with footy but it comes down to knowing it’s just footy. I have to give myself that reality check.”
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The QRLW is a key component of the QRL’s female strategy and pathways.
QRL chief operating officer Rohan Sawyer said a major issue in the women’s rugby league was retaining players.
While the women’s game has grown by 29 per cent in the last year, the retention rate is only 54 per cent.
Sawyer said the new strategy was designed to give female players a clear pathway from junior football to the Australian Jillaroos.
“We understand we’ve had a challenge with sustainable competition and the ability to play at every age group,” he said.
“We’re now starting to see for the first time young girls whose first sport has been rugby league and they’ve played it from a junior age all the way through to QRLW.
“We’re going to see the next generation of Maroons superstars. To have the exemption for girls is a highlight for us. Some of these girls are exceptional talents.”
QRLW PLAYER EXEMPTION LIST
Nakita Tafili-Sao – Souths Logan
River Smalley – Souths Logan
Tyesha Mikaio – Souths Logan
Mackenzie Weale – Souths Logan
Essay Banu – NQ Gold Stars
Jordii Mahendrarajagh – NQ Gold Stars
Kaiyla Ward – NQ Gold Stars
Jasmine Peters – NQ Gold Stars
Courtney Reynolds – NQ Gold Stars
Alani Sullivan – Tweed
Honor Wilson – Tweed
Abelee Stanley – Brothers Ipswich
China Polata* – Souths Logan
*Turned 18 in February. Was granted exemption for trials.
Originally published as QRLW: 12 teenagers given exemptions to play in new competition