A burning desire to lift the Confraternity Rugby League Shield trophy has the St Patrick’s College girls rugby league team primed for success in 2023.
It is all systems go for the talented Mackay maidens who have targeted next year’s Confraternity Carnival in Brisbane and the NRL Schoolgirls Cup as top priorities.
With eight members back on deck next season along with Mercy College graduates Keely Pitt and Paige Mooney, the St Patrick’s squad is shaping as a force to be reckoned with.
Inspirational hooker and team leader Paityne Johns is one of five Capricornia representative players returning to the College along with skilful locks Gracie Watt and Shaylee Hazledine and power running props Chelsea McLeod and Ciara Thomson.
They’ll be joined by classy fullback Trinity Grigg, a try scoring wizard with sharp footwork and the ability to create havoc from all parts of the field.
Johns, a product of the Norths Devils club, is a clever number nine who reads a game well and can make an impact with her silky passing skills and darting runs from dummy half.
St Patrick’s impressed keen judges by reaching the Grand Final of this year’s inaugural Confraternity Rugby League Girls Carnival staged in Mackay.
The girls produced courageous performances to advance to the Shield decider – only to succumb 18-10 to a well drilled Marymount College side from Burleigh Waters on the Gold Coast at the final hurdle.
That taste of big match rugby league will spur this capable and hungry St Patrick’s outfit to great heights in 2023.
The girls commenced their pre-season campaign last month with extensive strength and conditioning and skills sessions with an aim to be supremely fit and ready for kick-off in Term 2.
All eyes will be on the Confraternity Shield and NRL Schoolgirls Cup Division 1 competitions with St Patrick’s determined to bring home both trophies.
The girls are keen to progress to the NRL Schoolgirls Cup championship rounds after an early exit this season at the hands of Kirwan State High.
Nucleus of the team will feature in the Mackay Cutters Under 19 Harvey Norman Women’s squad for 2023.
New St Patrick’s women’s coach Jake Harney will be assisted by premiership-winning Wanderers’ U/18s mentor Imogin Healy and Girls Rugby League co-ordinator Samantha Nutt.
Harney, a clever half back, is a Gympie junior product who had stints with Wynnum Manly U/20s and Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Hostplus Cup.
By Chris Karas
Pic caption: St Patrick’s College Mackay girls rugby league team are hungry for success in 2023. Pictured standing l to r Samantha Nutt (Girls Rugby League Co-ordinator), Abbey Doull, Gracie Watt, Trinity Grigg, Chelsea McLeod, Ciara Thomson, Lily-May Carige, Jake Harney (coach); front Eva Daly, Shaylee Hazledine and Paityne Johns
