The growing popularity of women’s rugby union was on display last Saturday as the Women’s Opens Grand Final was played between Kuttabul Bokettes and Proserpine Whitsunday Raiders.
A round-robin tournament was played between the Bokettes, Raiders and Slade Point Slashers earlier in the day with the Kuttabul and Proserpine Whitsunday clubs finishing on top to face off in the grand final.
The ultimate match was a one-sided affair, with the Bokettes scoring two tries in each half to win 26-0.
The grand final wrapped up the first ever season of women’s rugby in the Mackay region.
Bokettes captain Miranda Davidson said she couldn’t be prouder of her team.
“We’ve got girls from all different backgrounds … so for those girls to come out and have a crack and to see them develop over the season has been pretty impressive,” she said.
“We also have some girls that are juniors, 17-year-olds stepping up and playing in the senior division, too, which is pretty exceptional stuff.”
Miranda hopes to see the competition grow over the coming seasons.
“I really want to shout out to all the clubs that have had a crack at women’s union this season and all the coaches because the coaches have been by far the driving force,” she said.
It was Sharne Adams’ first season with the Bokettes after playing rugby league for Magpies and being invited to play by friends.
“Two of my mates from there (Magpies) are union girls, they have a union background,” she said.
With union on Saturdays and league on Sundays, Sharne’s weekends were all about footy and she says both are getting more popular.
“The growth’s been really good,” said Sharne.
“It’s just onwards and upwards from here.”
Sharne’s daughter Adelle has been playing league for three years and started come-and-try union sessions this year.
“I’ve learnt what you do when you get tackled,” she said.
She also learnt the difference between league and union tackles.
“You try and get the ball, but you can’t go passed the ball,” she said.
“If you go passed the ball it doesn’t count.”
Adelle says she looks forward to following in Sharne’s footsteps and playing club rugby.
