Westpac delivers unique Origin experience for future Maroons talent

Westpac and Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons stars Ali Brigginshaw and Shenae Ciesiolka are teaming up to provide a unique State of Origin match-day experience for some of the best young female footy talent in Toowoomba.

Brigginshaw and Ciesiolka took time out from their preparations with the Western Clydesdales BMD Premiership team on Friday night to break the exciting news to members of the club’s Under 17 and Under 19 teams.

Thanks to the generosity of Westpac and their commitment to female pathways in Queensland, the young guns will each receive a ticket to Game I of the women’s Origin series in Brisbane on May 16.

Clydesdales players will also get the unique opportunity to mix with former Origin players and support the Maroons from the sidelines during a historic evening for women’s rugby league.

With the Game I clash in Brisbane set to open the first ever three-game women’s Origin series, Maroons skipper Brigginshaw wants her team to create their own special moments that will inspire the next generation of Queensland super stars in the years to come. 

“Thanks to Westpac and the Future Maroons Academy and all of the hard work you’ve been doing, you’re all going to Game I in Brisbane,” Brigginshaw told the junior players before Clydesdales training.

“It’s going to be an historic moment with a standalone Origin game, the first of a three-match series.”

Ciesiolka delivered further good news to the excited group.

“You’re not only just going to the game, you’re also getting the opportunity to go out on the field and touch the grass when the Maroons run out,” Ciesiolka said.

“I’m a Toowoomba girl and it wasn’t that long ago I was sitting right where you are, so hopefully one day you get the chance to run out and wear the Maroons jersey in an Origin game.”

Since coming on board as a major partner of the Queensland Rugby League in September last year, Westpac has been backing the QRL’s pathways through the Westpac Future Maroons Academy.

Several Clydesdales players are members of the academy, and to celebrate their commitment and potential, they’ll now get the opportunity to be a part of the Maroons’ historic Origin night in Brisbane.

Pat Cunningham, Head of Sponsorship at Westpac, said: “We knew when we partnered with Queensland Rugby League that supporting the next generation of female talent was a top priority.

“The Westpac Future Maroons Academy is one of the pathways we’re supporting, and I’m so proud to see us delivering on our commitment and providing special moments for these Under 17 and Under 19 teams”.