NORTHS Ipswich Tigers Under 16s coach, club captain and overall advocate for women in league Veronica White is perhaps one of the most exciting and inspirational people I have met this year whilst in this role.
Her passion and commitment to follow through with a goal she had set back in the early 90's is becoming clearer by each week’s game fixture, so to say.
I caught up with Ronnie, as she prefers to go by, on the weekend at the Under 16s Girls SEQ trials, is truly amazing as her services to our sport are absolutely phenomenal.
I congratulated Ronnie and her team on their great efforts, as she had six girls selected in the squad that will travel to Cairns for the 2014 State Carnival from July 2-7.
Ronnie was the first woman to become a Life Member of the AWRL. She has represented Australia internationally as a player and is involved in many development programs for girls in league.
The Veronica White Cup is given to Queensland's State Champion in Women’s Rugby League. Ronnie is listed in the Legends of Rugby League section of Robert Gott's FOOTBALL CODES: Rugby League, next to Mal Meninga and the King Wally Lewis.
She has been on numerous committees since 1993, Ipswich WRL, Sydney WRL, Brisbane WRL, Queensland and NSW Committees and has represented Australia as a player on many occasions since the sport’s first official Australian Women’s Rugby League team was established in 1995.
She last represented Australia in 2004 against the New Zealand Kiwi Ferns. Ronnie's goal is to ensure league continues in its development of junior players having assisted in developing the School Girls Rugby League Division within the Australian WRL.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Veronica for all she has done and for all she continues to do for Women in League. Ronnie is pictured here in a black jumper and cap with her girls at the SEQ trials held in Beenleigh.
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Saturday, the June 14 saw the Under 16s trial for positions in the SEQ side to travel to Cairns for the State Carnival.
Clubs involved were: Norths Ipswich, Goodna, Inala, Carina, Norths Saint Josephs, Logan Brothers and Gold Coast (with two squads).
The top six listed teams entered in the GBJRL competition played a 20 minute fixture with the winner of those games adding to their premiership points.
The second game of 20 minutes was for selection trials only. We had the honour of having three amazing Jillaroo World Cup holders present at our trials in Ali Brigginshaw, a former Norths Junior, SEQ Co-Captain, Queensland and Jillaroos player, Natalie Dwyer who began her senior league career at the Wollongong Wildcats in the Illawarra District and Renae Kunst from the Souths Logan side).
Thank you to Beenleigh for hosting this marvellous day, Julie Lorraway from the QRL for making sure the day went perfect and to all the girls for participating in the best sport in the world.
