North West manager Christine Roser-Whitney said last week's inaugural NSW PSSA rugby union girls gala days were a big step forward for women's rugby - especially in the North West.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Until now there hasn't really been an avenue for primary-aged girls to pursue the sport beyond the local carnivals.
The two-day carnival, which was played as 7s, was held at Werrington and saw the North West team take on zone sides from around the state.
It wasn't officially classed as a state carnival but the hope is that it will be passed by the PSSA board to become a fully-fledged carnival next year.
"It's a first for primary girls and they have embraced it," Roser-Whitney said.
She and coach Leonie Pettit were stoked with how the girls performed.
"Overall they just stepped up, they were amazing," she said.
They weren't the only one's who were impressed either.
On the second day each of the teams were mentored by a couple of the Aussie 7s squad members. The North West team got former Pallamallawa Public School student Rhiannon Byers, who has been named in the squad for the opening round of the 2019-2020 HSBC Sevens World Series in Colorado, and Aussie vice-captain Charlotte Caslick.
Tamworth South's Maya Patterson earned herself a bit of a fan in Caslick after bringing down a bigger opponent and taking her into touch.
Roser-Whitney said Caslick was overall floored by the talent on show.
North West finished on a high note thrashing North Coast 20-nil in their final game.
They had earlier in the day drawn 5-all with McKillop. It was their third draw for the carnival after drawing 20-all with Hunter and 5-all with Western to open their campaign.
For a lot of the girls the game against Hunter was their first competitive game of rugby.
READ ALSO:
"It was pretty much we arrived, and we faced up and they were actually getting contacted by someone else, not themselves," Roser-Whitney said.
Inverell Public's Sophie Greentree was "outstanding" Roser-Whitney said, and named the North West players' player.
Playing on the wing she was a try-scoring weapon.
"She's very dynamic," she said, adding that "they couldn't foot her".
Coolah Central's Bonnii Porter was meanwhile selected in the carnival merit team.
The North West team featured players from Tamworth South, Barraba, Quirindi, Spring Ridge, Bingara, Inverell and Coolah. Around 40 girls trialled for the squad, the interest blowing organisers away.
Roser-Whitney said 80 initially nominated but "horrible" weather the day of the gala day in Tamworth deterred some.
But it is still a very promising foundation to build from.
"It should be bigger and better next year," she said.
