Girls Rugby League was centre stage on the weekend of April 25-26 with an Under 17s game played as curtain raiser to the South Sydney Rabbitohs v Canberra Raiders Round 8 NRL game played at Barlow Park in Cairns.
Under a sparkling blue sky, the Country team, with players drawn from the Cassowary Coast and Tableland areas, and the City team with Cairns and Mareeba players, enjoyed the big game day experience.
The strong female involvement in the game was on show with female Match Officials and Sports Trainers, League Safe and Managers support staff for the Under 17 teams.
With the girls local competition just kicking off, the teams had only had the opportunity to train together once before the game, nevertheless showing great skills and enthusiasm for the game.
The final score saw Country 16 def City 8 with the overwhelming belief that the game, and female participation, was the real winner for the day.
The girls are now training in preparation for the Pat Bailey Plate Secondary School Gala Day being held on the May 8.
The Pat Bailey Plate Gala Day will also be used as selection trials for the Cairns & Innisfail/Eacham Under 16 girls sides to compete in the North Queensland titles, as well as an Under 14 FNQ side to participate in a tri-series against Mackay and Townsville as a curtain raiser to a NQ Cowboys game at 1300SMILES Stadium.
The girls are then available for selection in the North Queensland side to compete in the state titles which are being held in Brisbane.
