Bridie and Brenna Prendergast to officiate Schoolgirls Origin at Suncorp Stadium

A year ago the Prendergast sisters were little known officials on the South Burnett. Now Bridie and Brenna have been chosen to feature on the biggest stage in the Schoolgirls Origin at Suncorp Stadium.

RUGBY LEAGUE: As far as double acts go, the Prendergast sisters are taking all before them.

The South Burnett duo have been taking the southeast rugby league refereeing scene by storm in recent times, and now they’re set for an incredible honour on the biggest stage in the sport.

Bridie and Brenna have been selected in the officiating crew for the Queensland vs NSW Schoolgirls Origin on Wednesday night as a curtain raiser to Origin game three at Suncorp Stadium.

Bridie will take the flag as a sideline official and Brenna is on standby in what serves as a moment of great pride for the family.

“I am very excited and nervous. I was a little bit in shock (when finding out) and didn’t know if they had the right person,” Bridie said.

“When my name was read, I thought yeah I can do this, and this is what my training has been for.

Citizens of the Year Brenna Prendergast and Mark Beil with the award winners and nominees at the South Burnett 2020 Australia Day awards. File Photo

“Knowing all of that (the occasion at Suncorp) is where the nerves coming from, but I’ll take it as another game and want to make sure I do it all right.”

“When I originally found out, I saw the message and pulled over,” 20-year-old Brenna said.

“Mum (Sheree) called me straight away and said congratulations. I was quite excited when I opened it and rang everyone.”

The duo have recently started officiating fixtures in the TRL, taking up the flag for senior games and Brenna having her first centre at the weekend for an U19s game in Warwick.

But it was a recent appearance at the Harvey Norman Women’s Championship that Brenna describes as her proudest moment.

Junior Referee of the year Brenna Prendergast being awarded the trophy by Rob Crow. Picture: Laura Blackmore

“At the start of the year I was doing a few Cyril Connell Cup, Mal Meninga Cup and U19s touch lines,” she said.

“I did a few carnivals during May and June, but the highlight was the women’s nationals. It was very exciting and I received high quality coaching and awesome feedback.”

For 17-year-old Bridie, it will mean another day off school, but one the institution can be proud of.

“It’s been a crazy year,” she said.

“When I told them I won’t be at school on Wednesday they said what is it now. But they were very excited when I told them what it was for.”

The sisters have enjoyed a remarkable journey this year, and they both have their sights set on future honours.

“There was no female rugby league team and I was too old to play with the boys. I was spending every weekend and footy with my brother playing, so I decided to pick up the whistle and here we are today,” Brenna said.

“I would love to push myself to an NRLW line or further in the future.”

“It’s definitely something I want to continue and I would love to get to the NRL,” Bridie said.

“That’s the goal. But I want to see where it takes me and continuing with the travel.

Bridie Prendergast during her playing days for South Burnett. Picture: Claudia Williams

“I’d love to start at the NRLW. I met (NRL and NRLW official) Belinda Sharpe before a game I had at Cbus and I was lost for words. She’s someone I idolise and look up to.”

TRL Referees Association administrator Michael Inman said their story is an inspirational one to young referees in country regions.

“This time last year the girls were running around the South Burnett every now and then,” he said.

“They got an invite to QRL training and have made every post a winner from turning up to training and putting in, which speaks volumes.

“They take coaching on board and nothing is too much of an issue for them. They’re further proof that if you want something, go out and get it.”

Mariah Brown will represent the Queensland Schoolgirls. Picture: The Chronicle/Contributed

FAMILY’S PRIDE ON SHOW FOR MARIAH BROWN

SHE grew up taking on her brothers in the family backyard, and now Mariah Brown is preparing to step out onto the biggest stage in rugby league.

As a curtain raiser to the State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium, the Toowoomba talent will line up for the Queensland Schoolgirls against New South Wales on Wednesday night.

It’s an honour that hasn’t been lost on the St Saviour’s student, with father Dallas expressing how overjoyed the family is.

“We’re very proud. She’s done a lot of hard work over the years and deserves her spot in that team,” he said.

“The whole family is very proud of her achievements.”

Mariah has shown an incredible ability to cut ball runners in half with her textbook tackling technique, something Dallas said was instilled at a young age.

“She started playing league as an eight-year-old and played against the boys all the way up until 12,” he said.

Mariah Brown (right) prepares to make a tackle in the TJRL U17s 2021 grand final. Picture: Nev Madsen

“We put a lot of credit in her football to playing with her older brothers Preston and Zac in the backyard. That made her what she is today with her toughness and defence.

“The boys didn’t take it easy on her and she was made to be fairly tough pretty early.”

Brown is currently coming through the Highfields system that has also seen her go on to represent the Western Clydesdales.

Mariah Brown will represent the Queensland Schoolgirls against NSW on Wednesday night. Picture: Contributed

“She’s in her third year playing at Highfields and they have a great club,” he said.

“They’re good at developing young girls and a lot of those girls coming through the system are talented. She’s very happy with the club.”

Young Mariah will have some special supporters in the stands with her family set to be on deck to cheer her on, with her Suncorp appearance a potential look to the future.

“She’s super excited,” he said.

“All the girls went to the training camp on the weekend. There’ll be plenty of nerves and things like that, but she’ll handle it.

“She’s a part of the Broncos Academy and attended training last week. She got an invite during the holidays and that’s very exciting for her.”

The match kicks off at 5.45pm on Wednesday.