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<\/p>\nLISMORE hosted the Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout Carnival this year, drawing representative stars and emerging National Rugby League talent.<\/p>\n
Cabbage Tree Island won the women’s competition with Savannah Roberts-Hickling named player of the final and best and fairest at the tournament.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“The women are really turning the game on its head,” he said.<\/p>\n
“A lot of girls from our region are starting to go on to bigger and better things now.<\/p>\n
“The ladies at United have really set the platform for full contact rugby league across the region.<\/p>\n
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“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.”<\/p>\n
Five-eighth Karri Williams carried her NRRRL form into the knockout carnival for Cubawee Connections.<\/p>\n
She is part of a handful of locals in the Tweed Seagulls team who play in the Queensland BMD competition.<\/p>\n
Phoenix-Raine Hippi missed the carnival this year due to playing in an NRLW semi-final with the Gold Coast Titans.<\/p>\n
“The women are becoming a big part of the knockout, and we now have NRLW players representing their communities in these competitions,” Moran said.<\/p>\n
“There is going to be a lot more interest from the professional clubs for girls from our region and these tournaments help them shine.”<\/p>\n
The men and women played for a combined prize pool of almost $20,000.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n