Women take centre stage at rugby league knockout

LISMORE hosted the Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout Carnival this year, drawing representative stars and emerging National Rugby League talent.

Cabbage Tree Island won the women’s competition with Savannah Roberts-Hickling named player of the final and best and fairest at the tournament.

She is part of Lloyd McDermott’s National Indigenous Under 18s Rugby Development Team and has also been in the Gold Coast Titans NRLW squad this year.

The local teams featured players from the Northern United club, which had just won its third straight women’s tackle premiership in Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League.

United coach Ashley Moran was also involved in the knockout carnival and has been impressed with the development of Indigenous female talent in the region.

“The women are really turning the game on its head,” he said.

“A lot of girls from our region are starting to go on to bigger and better things now.

“The ladies at United have really set the platform for full contact rugby league across the region.

“I’m honoured to coach our female teams, whether it’s the open or under-17 team, they’re eager to learn and are passionate about the game.”

Five-eighth Karri Williams carried her NRRRL form into the knockout carnival for Cubawee Connections.

She is part of a handful of locals in the Tweed Seagulls team who play in the Queensland BMD competition.

Phoenix-Raine Hippi missed the carnival this year due to playing in an NRLW semi-final with the Gold Coast Titans.

“The women are becoming a big part of the knockout, and we now have NRLW players representing their communities in these competitions,” Moran said.

“There is going to be a lot more interest from the professional clubs for girls from our region and these tournaments help them shine.”

The men and women played for a combined prize pool of almost $20,000.

The men’s competition was won by the Tanya Roberts Memorial team from the Mid North Coast, with Cubawee Connections fullback Hezekiah McKenzie named player of the tournament.