Sunshine Coast schoolgirls rugby union top seniors to watch in 2022 revealed

Coaches from the Sunshine Coast senior school girls rugby union competition have revealed their aims for the season and which players will be the ones to watch in 2022.

From ferocious forwards to electric outside backs this year’s Sunshine Coast Secondary Schools Girls Rugby Union competition has certainly showcased plenty of rising stars.

With the opening rounds in the books a number of senior students have made their presence felt in the senior First 10 competitions.

Coaches from across the region have revealed their aim for the season and named which players will be key reasons for their team’s success.

All schools were contacted before the time of publishing.

Siena Catholic College

Coach: Kaitlan Woods

Captain: Olivia Hunt

Season Aim/Objective: “After a narrow loss to St. John’s in last year’s grand final, our girls are looking to go one better this season,” Woods said.

“We have the team capable of achieving this, but we are well aware that there are a number of really strong contenders this year.

“Injury and illness are proving a formidable obstacle even at this early stage, however, we are uniquely placed this year with our first ever seconds team.

“These girls will prove critical to any success we hope to achieve. “

Siena senior student Sophia Collins also plays for the Nambour Toads in the SCRU women's competition. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Standout player to watch, Sophia Collins: “Sophia is our vice-captain and fly-half,” Woods said.

“Her leadership around the field is invaluable and she poses a wonderful ability to read the game and ably guides our backline.

“You can be sure with her pace and agility she will break the line every game, setting up tries and scoring a few herself along the way.”

Standout player to watch, Takoda Thompson: “Takoda is absolutely relentless in defence,” Woods said.

“She is hard-hitting and will often spring back to her feet to make consecutive tackles.

“Her game sense, hard running, and ball skills make her a weapon in attack as well.

“Takoda would have to be one of the most reliable and powerful players in the competition.”

St Teresa’s Catholic College

Coach: Jourdan Linthorne

Captains: Kate Roberts and Bronte Langbridge

Season Aim/Objective: “The legacy left by the 2021 seniors is stamped all over the program this year,” Linthorne said.

“Having a team in every division again is such a critical building block and the 2022 First X are reaping the rewards of playing since they were under-14s.

“The girls are seeking to push deep into Division 1 finals this year and as a squad, we have a focus on development, wellbeing, legacy and fun.

“If we win as a by-product of enjoying our rugby, that’s the dream.

“The talent is there, it’s up to how we come together as a group that will determine overall success.”

Standout player to watch, Lily Payne: “Lily is a representative player and is the team’s creative catalyst at fly-half,” Linthorne said.

“Ball in two hands, constantly probing and threatening with ball skills and quick feet.

“Not only is she a livewire but she is extremely experienced, tough, aggressive and undeniably strong in both tackle and breakdown.

“The best part of Lily is she is still developing as a player, there are still elements of her game that she is keen to work on and you can see the competitor in her wanting to get better every session.”

St. Teresa's captain Bronte Langbridge has been named as a player to watch in the 2022 season.

Standout player to watch, Bronte Langbridge: “Another representative player, Bronte is already playing women’s rugby after just turning 17 last month,” Linthorne said.

“Bronte is the side’s on-field captain due to her experience, cool and mature head, critical decision making, and ability to execute with force and power.

“She’s always thinking and we rely on Bronte to control the tempo of the team at halfback.

“Bronte is the squad’s engine room, when Bronte goes forward, the team goes forward.

“She says only what needs to be said, and often leads through example.

“There is always a smile on Bronte’s face when she is playing rugby.”

St John’s College

Coaches: Luke Murray and Cooper MacMinn

Captains: Kiera Dunbar and Felicity Mokohar

Season Aim/Objective: “We are definitely in a rebuilding phase after winning the under-18 title for the past two years,” the coaches said.

“Several players in our side are playing their first season of rugby and we are certainly happy with how they have developed in the opening rounds.

“We are fortunate to have some experience in the team as well, so our goal is to be competitive in each fixture this year but above all, we want to ensure the players have fun.”

St John’s College co-captain Kiera Dunbar. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Standout player to watch, Kiera Dunbar: “Kiera is our team’s leader and our most experienced player having started in year eight,” they said.

“She is a strong ball runner, tenacious and competitive in every aspect of the game and is devastating at the breakdown.

“She has played in the SCRU Open Women’s competition this year and brings that level of intensity to training and games.”

Standout player to watch, Felicity Mokohar: “Felicity is our co-captain is an exceptionally talented ballplayer,” the coaches said.

“She has a terrific pass on both sides to help service our outside backs and also has the ability to have a scoot herself.

“She is reliable in defence and always brings positive energy to the team in our warm-ups and games.”

St. John's College senior rugby union players Kiah Gormley and Felicity Mokohar.

Standout player to watch, Kiah Gormley: “Kiah is one of our younger players and is a solid all-round rugby player,” they said.

“A great defender with the ability to pilfer at the breakdown while possessing a strong running game.

“Kiah has a good understanding of the game and is the link between our backs and forwards.

“She has an exciting season ahead.”

Victory College

Coach: Bruce McAllister

Captain: De-Annah McGrath

Season Aim/Objective: “This is our first year with an opens team in the SCSSRU, after entering our first girls team in the under-16s last year,” McAllister said.

“We’re a relatively small school, compared to many of the schools we play against, and we’re looking steadily to develop our core skills and game knowledge.

“Our girls are learning and improving every week, becoming more competitive with each game.

“A successful year for us will be to put a few wins on the board but, importantly, to work together as a team and earn the respect of our competition.”

De-Annah McGrath has been named as a player to watch in the 2022 SCSSRU girls competition.

Standout player to watch, De-Annah McGrath: “De-Annah has been the driving force of this team on and off the field this year,” McAllistar said.

“She has been playing club rugby with the Hammers in the SCRU and has brought that skill set and determination back to our team at Victory.

“De is a ferocious defender, who rarely misses one-on-one, and is our chief communicator and leader around the paddock.

“De also earned a spot in the SCSSRU North team that played the curtain-raiser before the Tonga vs Hong Kong test match played on the Coast earlier this year.”

Tasha Carlson has been named as a player to watch in the 2022 SCSSRU girls competition.

Standout player to watch, Tasha Carlson: “Tasha is the youngest player in our squad,” he said.

“She is strong with the ball in hand, always getting us over the gain line and often carrying two or three defenders with her.

“On the other side of the ball, she makes her presence felt at the breakdown, regularly earning the team turnover ball and contesting the ruck with such power the opposition needs to commit multiple players just to match her.

“Tash also earned a starting representative jersey in the SCSSRU North team, which was a fitting reward for her strong work ethic and commitment to the game.”

Chancellor State College

Coach: Nicholas Collingwood

Captains: Kate Ellem and Mia Vines

Season Aim/Objective: “We have a very young team that is aiming to build upon its success of winning the under-16 competition last year,” Collingwood said.

“The focus is on continuing player development and providing opportunities for the young ladies to have fun, but also continuously improve and play free-flowing competitive rugby that is a delight to watch.”

Standout player to watch, Kate Ellem: “Kate is one of the key leaders of the team who sets the standard in the way she plays,” Collingwood said.

“She is dominant in defence, and one of our key playmakers who creates opportunities for players all around her with her ability to read the game and execute plays with her powerful pass.”

Standout player to watch, Allira Purtell: “Allira is one of the strongest, damaging runners you will find in the Sunshine Coast Girls Schools Rugby Competition,” Collingwood said.

“This combined with her turn of speed allows her to bust tackles with ease to get the team on the front foot.

“If the team is needing a bit of motivation Allira is one of the key players that will always make an impact in defence or attack.”

Standout player to watch, Jennifer Ladewig: “Jen is one of the most electric players of the field,” he said.

“When she gets her hands on the ball she can make it seem as if other players have stopped moving.

“She is a versatile player who covers a range of positions for us in the team from the lineout to the wing.

“Look for her to link up with our play makers to execute opportunities across the field.”

Originally published as Sunshine Coast schoolgirls rugby union top seniors to watch in 2022 revealed