Coonamble local, Jannali Walker, who plays rugby with the Gulargambone juniors, has been picked for the NSW Country Rugby Union Representative Training Squad after a “sensational” performance in Dubbo.
Jannali was the only girl in the Western Plains team that that participated in the Country and State Championships, which brought over 1,200 kids to Dubbo over the King’s Birthday long weekend.
The Western Plains team coach and NSW Rugby Union development officer Mark Pitts said he was impressed with her performance, and she was rightfully chosen.
“She was very dominant on the field,” he said.
“She was sensational.”
This is the first time the Western Plains had a team in the Under 14s state competition.
Mark said there were not enough girls to make an all-female team, however, Jannali’s mum, Thelma Leonard, said she was more than happy to play with the boys.
“She was told that she’s still young enough to be able to play in the boys competition,” Thelma said.
“These are the boys that she’s been playing with since under 10s.
“She was happy to play with the guys.”
She proved her worth and tore up the field, assisting on the wing and front of the team.
This weekend, Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June Jannali will go to Mudgee for the first training session under the recruitment.
The recruiters chose 40 girls for the Country side, and on 4 and 5 July they will meet in Camden where the coaches will determine the final team.
If Jannali is chosen she will go to Newcastle on 25 July to face the Sydney team on 26 July.
Jannali said she is excited for the opportunity, and Thelma said she hopes the recognition will open doors for the footy fanatic.
“It’s definitely a great opportunity,” Thelma said.
During the State Championships the Western Plains side played six matches, winning two, drawing once and losing four.
The first time the team met was on the field on Saturday.
Mark said the other sides would have had months of training together for the competition.
“To win close to 50% of our games, and facing very experienced teams is incredible.”
He was especially happy with Coonamble’s Makhi Reid-Turnbull and Armatree’s Akhiro Baker’s field action.
“They both had really strong performances.”
Makhi put down eight tries, and Akhiro scored four.
Although the coach was thrilled with Jannali’s achievement, Mark said he was disappointed to hear nobody else from the team was picked for the Country Side.
“We were very hopeful some of the boys would be picked, too.”
“If the boys keep applying themselves they might be on their way as well.
“We’re determined to get them recognised. They also play phenomenally.”
Overall, Mark said he was happy with how the Western Plains team played, especially for their first time in the Championships.
He hopes the side can revisit the competition next year.