Pathway to the pros for female rugby league players

TWO Northern Rivers players have made their NRLW debuts for the Gold Coast Titans in a breakout year for female rugby league.

Phoenix-Raine Hippi and Lily Patston both featured on the wing for the Titans this season.

Hippi, a teenage sensation from Ballina who represented Queensland at under-19 level, stepped in when Patston suffered a season-ending leg injury.

In her debut game, Hippi made five tackle breaks, 69 run metres and scored a try.

NSW Rugby League zone manager Wayde Kelly said there were a handful of local players who could be picked up by NRLW clubs in the coming years.

The Northern Rivers started with a modified league tag competition in 2018 and now has tackle competitions for junior and senior females.

“It took a while to establish a pathway and regular competition for young girls to be able to play tackle,” Kelly said.

“We knew we had enough talent here; it was just a matter of getting them consistent footy week in and week out to help them get to the next level.

“Phoenix is still very young; she’s a natural talent who got a special exemption to play against women when she was in the girls competition.

“She injured her ankle playing for Queensland and probably would have debuted a month earlier this season.”

The Tweed Seagulls BMD team, which plays in Queensland, is filled with Northern Rivers talent.

Lillie Mumford, Starbella Tonkin and Elsie Wilkinson were selected as emerging NSW Blues players from the state-wide Lisa Fiola Cup under-17 competition.

Ballina teenager Savannah Roberts-Hickling represented the Australian Schoolgirls rugby union team last year and is part of the Titans NRLW squad.

“The future looks bright and I’m sure a few more players will get an opportunity in the coming years,” Kelly said.

“It comes down to timing and putting themselves in the position where they can be called on.

“Our local coaches have helped by embracing the game along with the junior clubs who gave the girls the opportunity to play in a regular competition.”