TWO Redlands women have been named on Queensland’s rugby XV squad ahead of the inaugural six-week Super W competition.
Cheyenne Campbell, 31, and Alana Elisaia, 21, both members of Redlands Rugby Union Club, could be headed towards professional territory with their inclusion on the team.
Their sporting prowess will be broadcast on Fox Sports as part of the channel’s foray into televised Super W matches from next month.
The competition was set-up to give female rugby players an opportunity to compete on the national stage in the sport’s traditional form.
- Read more: Junior rugby league to get a plug
- Read more: Redlands Muddies players become rugby stars
- Read more: Painful death of rugby league in the bush
Queensland head coach Michael Hayes said he believed the squad was imbued with experience and youthful energy.
“We’re lucky to have some seasoned Women’s XV campaigners who have already represented their country, who can act as role models for some of our younger players emerging from various pathways such as Sevens,” he said.
“We’re fortunate that Queensland has some quality club competitions with healthy rivalries, which has helped lift the standard of the game in the state.”
Campbell, a high school teacher and Wallaroo, said she wanted to help mentor younger players to develop their talents on the state-side.
While training will increase ahead of the six-week competition, the Thornlands woman said she was thrilled at her selection.
“It is awesome and a great opportunity for women’s rugby to get more exposure,” she said.
Elisaia only began playing the game two years ago but said support from the club and its members had helped her progress quickly.
“Following players like Cheyenne is amazing,” she said. “It is such an experience and I love learning new things.”
While Elisaia, of Cleveland, was seasoned at playing touch football, she said the transition to Rugby XV overwhelmed her.
“It was a bit scary at the start of it because of the contact and the rules were a bit different,” she said.
The squad features a total of nine Wallaroos, as well as 13 players from Queensland’s three Aon University Sevens squads and six players who have been a part of the Queensland Academy of Sport Women’s Sevens Academy.