Sport
8 July, 2024
Maroon juniors take home origin win
A TEAM of talented local under-15 players took to the field recently before the Women’s State of Origin decider, securing a 12-6 win for Queensland during their curtain-raiser match.
The young women competed as a part of the RISE program, which provides junior rugby league players and coaches with an avenue to obtain specialised training and education through a “holistic” rugby league development experience.
Of the 20 girls in the squad, 12 came from Mareeba and the Tablelands, with Atherton Rooster Meghan Jarvis even crossing the try line for the team.
Head coach Kylie Cootes said the girls played incredibly well, especially in front of their NRLW idols who sat on the sidelines and watched the game.
“It was a very special opportunity for the girls and it was great to see such a big crowd watching them,” she said.
“It is an amazing opportunity for the girls to play a full game at that level – it gives me goosebumps thinking back on it.
“Now they have a taste of what it is like on the big field, I know they will be taking their experiences back to club level and help grow women’s league in the Cairns region and we just cannot wait to see it get bigger and better.”
