While there is much conjecture and criticism around Australian rugby at the moment, a group of female youngsters from the western region got to enjoy a once in a lifetime experience last week.
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The Central West under 16s and 18s girls’ sevens side not only got to play the Central Coast in the curtain-raiser to the Wallabies test match against Scotland, they got to mix with the players, pick up tips and hints from high level coaches and also take part in the South East Magic Sydney Sevens tournament.
“It was unbelievable,” NSW Rugby Union’s Far West Development Officer Angus McDonald said.
“The Wallabies went out of their way for them so it was great.
“To get into the captain’s run, that just doesn’t happen, it’s usually reserved but the Wallabies asked the girls to be there.
“After it they all shook hands, had a chat and got some photos so it was really good to see.”
The captain’s run was on Friday morning where the Central West players, including Dubbo trio Jasmine Billards, Tameka Todhunter and San Bulivau, got to see the Wallabies being put through their paces under head coach Michael Cheika.
Cheika and then a number of players, the likes of captain Michael Hooper, Stephen Moore and also Quade Cooper, took the time to chat with the young guns before posing for photos.
Later that afternoon the sides got to take part in a training session run by Narromine product and former Waratah and Australian sevens player Pat McCutcheon and fellow NSW coach Tim Rapp.
“He was great with them,” McDonald said of McCutcheon.
“They put them through their paces and Patty’s background, playing for the Waratahs then sevens, it was really good to get his expertise and advice on things.”
The South East Magic Sydney Sevens tournament in Coogee was on Saturday morning before the curtain-raiser match.
It didn’t finish there either, with Central West 16s player Charlotte Haling holding the Australian flag during the national anthem prior to the Wallabies-Scotland kick off.
Central West, featuring players from Brewarrina, Coonabarabran, Narromine, Orange and Bathurst as well as Dubbo, impressed at the South East Magic Sydney Sevens tournament. The side scored two convincing wins while suffering defeat in the other two matches, one of those matches was decided in the final moments against a competition favourite.
“It was brilliant. They’ve all really got some skills,” McDonald said, before speaking about the curtain-raiser itself.
“They were all really nervous playing on that kind of stage but some of the Wallabies came out and watched. The girls asked them at the captain’s run to come and watch so there was about five or six Wallabies watching. That was really good.”
McDonald described the trip as the latest highlight during an exciting time for female rugby. Interest has boomed ever since the Australia’s gold medal win at the Olympics and the Central West under 13s, 15s and 17s will play at state titles later this season alongside the boys’ teams.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
