One of the biggest contributors to rugby league on the Gold Coast was honoured last week when Tahnee Norris took part in the Queen’s Baton Relay.
One of the most capped Jillaroos of all-time, Norris played in four World Cups in an international career that spanned 15 years and was also a key Queensland Women's representative.
Since retiring from playing, she moved into coaching, where she has led the Burleigh Bears to three consecutive premierships.
She is also currently a coach with the Bond University Women’s 7s team and is one of the most significant figures in the continued growth of women participating in rugby league.
She shared the honour of taking part in the relay with another Bears representative, Tom Marzella, who has been an administrator in local sport for over 35 years. Marzella is a life member of Burleigh Juniors and who was also instrumental in the establishment of the Burleigh Bullsharks cricket club, which joined the local scene in 2006.
“Both Tom and Tahnee are great ambassadors for the club and deserve every recognition that come their way,” Burleigh Bears CEO Damian Driscoll said.
“It is a tremendous honour to be recognised by those in the community and to be able to carry the Queens Baton is something that they will keep with them forever.”
Both were honoured at the Robina Community Celebration leg of the relay, which started at Robina Town Centre on Tuesday, April 3.
*First introduced in 1958, the Queen’s Baton Relay is a Commonwealth Games tradition that begins at Buckingham Palace, travels the world and ends at the opening ceremony, celebrating everybody from local volunteers to elite athletes from around the world.
Main Image: Tahnee Norris in action for the Queensland Women's team
