Queensland Under 17 Country prop Theophelia Mosby-Nona wants to inspire young girls of the Torres Strait to play rugby league and she is doing a great job of it.
The 17-year-old hails from tiny Yorke Island, which is just 2.7 kilometres long and just 800 metres at its widest point.
The island has a population of just 250 and Theophelia is treading a path with the Townsville Blackhawks that she hopes other girls follow.
"It is very big opportunity for me because I come from the Torres Strait where there aren't a lot of opportunities to play at this level," Theophelia said of the City versus Country concept.
"I'd like to inspire more girls from home to play rugby league because there is so much talent up in the islands.
"I come from Yorke island and grew up there but I came to Townsville to go to school at Kirwan State High. I love going back home and going out on the sea, fishing and camping.
"This game is a great opportunity for me to represent my family and make more friends."
Theophelia said she was relishing the front-row position where she likes to mix it with the other girls in the physical contact.
"I just like running straight up, getting in there and putting on the big hits when I have to," Theophelia said.
"I love being on the field. I started playing when I was 12 on the island with all the uncles. The fields don't have a lot of grass but it is a great place to learn."
Country coach Amanda Ohl said Mosby-Nona was a real weapon and reminded her of barnstorming North Queensland Gold Stars prop Layla Fauid, who hails from Thursday Island and who also impressed in the BHP Premiership.
"Theo played a couple of games for the Blackhawks 19s this year and is a big hitter who loves defending," Ohl said.
"She reminds me a lot of Layla Fauid - just runs hard and tackles hard. She does the things that are important for front-rowers very well.
"At the moment she is slated to play in the front-row but can play in the second-row as well."
Theophelia is supported by NRL Cowboys House, which provides supported accommodation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from remote and disadvantaged communities in North Queensland, allowing them to access quality secondary schooling in Townsville.
"Cowboys House has been really good for me," Theophelia said.
"There are really good programs for the kids and people from the Cowboys come and visit. It was great when Hamiso [Tabuai-Fidow] came to see us.
"I am boarding there and go to school at Kirwan. Every holidays I get to go back home to the Torres Strait."
The Year 11 student said she valued her education highly.
"I just want to get everything done so I can get into nursing in the future," Theophelia said.
"I like helping people so that is why I want to be a nurse."
Theophelia also has her eye on the expanded NRLW competition slated for next season as another career path away from her studies.
"It is exciting for all the young women to have the opportunity to play at the next level and to represent their families," Theophelia said.
Theophelia will face-off with City on Saturday.
QLD City v QLD Country - Under 17 Girls
