• PHOTO: Adda in action! (Photo: Peter Sherwood).
A FUTURE women’s rugby league superstar Adda Craig, has been selected for the 2023 NRLW Sydney Roosters Development team.
Fourteen year old Adda was recently spoted by Sydney Roosters scout Rob McAlpine during a Castlereagh Cougars match in Mudgee earlier this month.
Adda is well-known for her passion and drive for all things rugby league.
She started playing football for the Under 10’s Coonamble Bears at the age of nine and has not looked back.
From 2018 until now, Adda has worn the number thirteen jersey, playing ‘lock’ for the Castlereagh Cougars in the Women’s Rugby League Competition.
“Football is my favourite sport and has been from a young age. I have played footy ever since I can remember,” Adda said.
“When I found out that I had been selected for the Sydney Roosters Development Squad I was speechless.
“I felt nervous, but so excited. I really thought that it was a joke and I am still surprised that I have actually been chosen.
“Footy is my everything, so being selected means the world to me,” she said.
Proud parents, Sheena and Adam Craig, were not so surprised with the selection, they believe her talents for football are as natural as they come.
“Adda always goes out onto the field and plays her heart out.
“She always gives 100% effort. She has been blessed with the ability to never give up during or after a football game.
“Each week she plays, if something doesn’t go to plan, she always tries to improve for the next week. This selection is a true credit to her,” Sheena said.
Adda’s devotion to rugby league the sport is hard to go unnoticed.
“Adam and I knew she was passionate about rugby league when she would never miss a training session or a game,” Sheena said.
“We have travelled to great lengths for training sessions and games and she is yet to miss many at all.
“Her love for football comes from deep down inside of her,” Sheena said.
Over the years, Adda has impressed coaches, family and friends with her work ethic, sportsmanship, power and strength on and off the field.
“She is a beast! Her talent is unbelievable. We love supporting her each time she runs on the field,” Sheena said.
“When we found out she was selected we did not know what to say.
“We are so proud of her! We are also grateful that her hard work has finally been recognised. She has wanted this for so long! Her dreams of playing rugby league with the top teams are finally going to come true,” Adam said.
The next step for Adda is to meet with Under 19’s Tarsha Gale Women’s Coach Blake Calavero on 18 January to discuss the next step for her moving forward in the Sydney Roosters NRLW squad.
By MARNIE RYAN