Camden Haven Eagles girls pave the way for future female players Camden Haven Sport Property/Sports/Opinion - popup ad Sport by News Of The Area - Modern Media - August 23, 2024 Kalaii Collier and Cailan George focused before the game. THE Camden Haven Under 15 Girls faced off against Wauchope in a crucial elimination final on Sunday 18 August at Regional Stadium, Port Macquarie. The stakes were high, with the girls being the last team standing for the Eagles in the finals. Despite a gutsy performance – including standout performances by Nadia Bligh (one try), Brylie Brooks (two tries) and Zaharia George – the girls ultimately fell short, going down 36-14. “It was a tough loss, but the girls showed resilience and determination throughout the match,” Camden Haven Eagles president Jarryd ‘Kiwi’ Gaskin told News Of The Area (NOTA). Gaskin also acknowledged the team’s progress from their initial training sessions in February, when many of the girls were new to the sport and unsure of their abilities. “Despite facing tough competition early on in the season, the girls continued to improve each week, eventually finding their stride in Round 3 of their competition, where they were evenly matching most teams.” “They have also provided a stepping stone, paving the way for other girls in the Camden Haven area to come and play footy with the Eagles.” The team’s coach, Pete ‘the Pensioner’ Bird, shared heartfelt words with his troops after the loss. Bird expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to be involved with the team, telling his players it had been an “absolute pleasure” to be their coach. “After being involved in several sporting teams over the years it has been a real buzz to witness your improvement and progress,” Bird told the girls. Bird also praised Joe Carbonetti, a key supporter and mentor of the team despite not having personal ties to any of the players or the area. Reflecting on the match, co-coach Jayme Averillo commended the girls for their exceptional performance in the first half, describing it as the “best footy” she had seen them play all season. “Although the girls faced a formidable opponent in Wauchope, they showed great teamwork and resilience, setting them up for a promising future next year when they return to play,” she said. By Kim AMBROSE Taela Cummins on the attack. Brylie Brooks crosses the line for the Eagles. Cailan George powers forward.
