KIMBERLY Duncan has taken a big step towards potentially playing in the NRLW.

The eighteen-year-old made her debut for the North Sydney Bears under 19s team who recently kicked off their Tarsha Gale Cup season.

The Tarsha Gale Cup is the top under 19s women’s rugby league competition in NSW, and is the main bridge between juniors and the NSWRL Women’s Premiership.

The North Sydney Bears under 19s kicked off their season last weekend when they hosted the Newcastle Knights in Sydney.

Duncan came off the bench to play 30 minutes at hooker.

Her Bears debut comes on the back of a strong year on the field for the former Sawtell Panthers junior.

She was the best back for the Coffs Coast Dolphins during the inaugural North Coast Open Women’s Rugby League competition.

She also played representative football for the North Coast Bulldogs women’s team, and was a member of the Dunghutti women’s team who were the Koori Knockout winners.

Duncan was also selected to the Indigenous All Stars team in their match against the All Stars during NAIDOC week in Kempsey.

She noticed the level of difference playing in NSW’s elite junior competition.

“The girls are all really fit, and some of the girls are six foot tall,” she said.

“The mentality is really different; training is serious, three times a week with the team.”

The emerging player explained what she wanted to take away from her debut season for the Bears.

“I hope to learn a lot of things, get more experience, and have a better mindset and also get fitter.”

The Bears debutant had ambitions of playing at the highest level.

“NRLW is definitely a goal, and I would love to with the right support.”

By Aiden BURGESS