Putting themselves to the ultimate test, local girls Ally Stott and Charlie Beasley will head to Albury to play in the 2018 Albury Thunder 9’s competition.
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Although they have no experience in playing tackle, both are strong players and are heading into the matches in good stead.
Beasley with two years playing league tag, and Stott with one year, the most powerful asset the girls each have is their strength.
Mother of Charlie and former coach to both, Shan Beasley, says the girls have always been strong players but are said to excel in rugby league.
“Both girls are very very good at defence and they’re strong girls so considering that women’s rugby league is the fasting growing sport in Australia it’s really good for them to have the opportunity to play.”
“You’ve got to run with their strengths.”
Although it is a daunting thing for most girls to tackle, these two show no fear.
“A lot of girls find it daunting to tackle but once these girls have the opportunity to play, they will come back to their friends and then others will think it isn’t that bad and decide to play.”
There is a rally of support behind the girls from the community who are behind them every step of the way.
“A lot of people are really excited for the girls.”
Stott and Beasley are part of the team make up for the under 16’s OAMS Central Storm side, and have been training on a weekly basis in Orange with the team ahead of the weekend’s comp.
When asked how she thinks she will cope with seeing Beasley play on the weekend, Shan laughed off her motherly instinct to protect her baby.
“I’m not going to lie, I think the first tackle will be a bit of a shock for me,” she laughed.
“It’s like any sport, you get to love it as much as they do, you just embrace it’
It is hoped there will be enough interest in women’s rugby league in Mudgee to generate enough numbers to create junior and senior sides.
“League tag is great for the girls but rugby league really is the next step. Given the interest from the girls in league tag, there are a lot of them that will play.”
“Many of the women I have spoken to wish they had the opportunity to play rugby league wen they were growing up.”
The girls will be playing alongside Gulgong local, Nicole Schneider who will be playing in the Central Storm opens side.
This year, Ally was awarded ‘Best and Fairest’ for the under 14’s Mudgee Junior League Tag side, and Charlie awarded ‘Most Improved’ for the under 16’s MJRL Tag side.
Beasley and Stott will first play on Saturday 6th in a clash against Leeton Raiders.
If you have a sports story, don’t hesitate to email our sports journalist at jay-anna.mobbs@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
Jay-Anna Sleeman
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
