Talented hooker Jada Ferguson prepares for State of Origin debut

Forced out of rugby league at a young age Jada Ferguson will cap her return to the game she always loved in emphatic style this Thursday. Read about the young star’s journey from athletic junior to State of Origin rookie here.

Former Toowoomba junior rugby league talent Jada Ferguson is set to make her Queensland Maroons State of Origin debut this week. Picture: Getty Images

Forced out of the sport she loved when she ‘aged up’ Jada Ferguson could’ve give up and found a completely new passion.

Fortunately Ferguson simply tried her hand at other football codes knowing she would return to league one day.

The now 23-year-old will complete her league return on Thursday when she makes her State of Origin debut for Queensland.

“It’s all a bit surreal and very special to be honest,” Ferguson said.

“Going from being the girl in the crowd watching Origin and other league to being out there on Suncorp my favourite ground the home of Queensland Rugby League.

“I really don’t what to say, how to put what I feel about it in words.”

Like so many girls Ferguson gave up rugby league at a young age due to limited opportunities for girls after under-12s.

She tried her hand at touch football and rugby sevens, representing her state in both, before returning to league as a young adult.

Part of a rugby league mad family, Ferguson’s return is no surprise, but the striking similarities between her journey and that of an established Maroons star are.

Ferguson’s cousin Shenae Ciesiolka, who also hails from the Darling Downs, traded life as an Oakey Bears junior for touch and rugby at a young age.

Following almost directly in her cousin’s footsteps Ferguson has made a name for herself in the BMD Premiership and the NRLW with the Brisbane Broncos.

Now the pair are set to wear Maroon together for Queensland.

Toowoomba cousins Shenae Ciesiolka (left) and Jada Ferguson.

Jada Ferguson in action for the Brisbane Broncos during a NRLW match. Picture: Getty Images

“Having Shenae in the team makes things easier in a way,” Ferguson said.

“She’s always been someone I’ve looked up to, aspired to be like and someone I know I can turn to when I need help or am looking for advice.

“I’m not sitting back though, as the new girl I’m trying to soak up as much as I can and work hard every session but having Shenae there is special, she’s been amazing for Queensland for a while now.”

Lining up in one of rugby league’s fiercest rivalries games, Ferguson said no amount of training can prepare anyone for the Origin cauldron.

The talented No. 9 however said a recent fan day in Kingaroy has helped.

“Nothing can prepare you for Origin,” she said.

“Everyone says you really have no idea what it is like until you’re out there and it hits you.

“Personally my goal is to get out there and do whatever is needed of me – put the team first.

“The few days we spent in Kingaroy as a team has really helped us all.

“We’re all proud Queenslanders, we know what it means to represent the state, but being out there gave us all a new sense of that.

“It gave us an even better sense of what we’re playing for, who we are playing for and we all want to go out there and get the job done.”