Mackay State High School first girl to join Queensland boys Under 12 Rugby League team

A Central Queensland young gun has done what no girl has done before in her region as she joins a statewide rugby league all boys team. DETAILS.

Teuila Tuugavao Soe has done what few girls have done before and was selected in a boys team. Picture: Mackay SHS

A young Mackay gun has done what no girl has achieved before as she was selected to be part of a statewide rugby league all boys team.

Mackay State High School’s Teuila Tuugavao Soe is only in Year 7, but she’s the first ever girl in her region to be selected to play in the Queensland boys Under 12 Rugby League team.

Ms Tuugavao Soe comes from a sporting family with her brother Jaffahl Skillington playing for the Mackay Cutters in the under-19 team this year.

Head of Mackay’s Rugby League Academy Brett Watton said Teuila was a “fantastic athlete” who would benefit a lot from playing in a team that would be up to her level.

“She’s one of the ones that could go really far with the sport,” Mr Watton said.

“She’s played up in age groups against senior girls, she’s played against boys, she’s playing well above her own age group.”

The Year 7 student was first selected to represent Mackay in school sport trials as well as was selected to represent Capricornia, before she was chosen to be part of the state team.

She will represent Queensland in the School Sport Australia National Championships, which will be held from August 5-9 at the Raiders Belconnen’s venue in the Australian Capital Territory.

As to what it’s like playing in an all boys team, Ms Tuugavao Soe would get her “sense of inclusion” from playing within a team that challenges her enough, according to Mr Watton.

“In her own age group she’s very dominant, so being able to play with the boys and be included in that is giving her that challenge that she needs and allow her to develop skills,” he said.

“But also, she’s not just coming in and being at the bottom, she’s actually taking it to the boys as well.”

Mr Watton said he believed NRLW would “grow exponentially” in the coming years, as local level competitions are opening more and more for women.

“I dare say in the next three to four years it will will match the boys in terms of size,” he said.

Mackay SHS posted a message to share the news of Tuugavao Soe representing the school to parents and the community, noting it was the last year for the girl to have the opportunity to be selected in a boys’ team.

“A fiercely competitive but humble girl, Mackay High are extremely proud and lucky to have you,” the post said.

“Congratulations Teuila and family.”

Originally published as Mackay State High School first girl to join Queensland boys Under 12 Rugby League team