TWELVE year old Lilly-Ann White proudly captained her Thornton-Beresfield Bears in the inaugural CRL Combined Competition Women’s Tackle u14s Grand Final against Wests Newcastle last weekend.

Modern Media: Advertise with News Of The Area and you get your ad in 1) in Print, 2) on the News Website (like this ad), and 3) on our Social Media news site. A much more efficient way to advertise. Reach a HUGE audience for a LOW price TODAY! Call us on 02 4983 2134. Or media@newsofthearea.com.au
Or CLICK FOR ADVERT QUOTE

The Bears were leading 16-12 at half time but a very skilled combination and strong defence by Wests saw Newcastle secure the Premiership 28-16.

Lilly-Ann still had plenty to celebrate.

She finished the season as the top try scorer in u14’s Women’s Tackle.

Two tries in the Grand Final took her season tally to 17 tries.

Lilly-Ann started playing rugby league with the Myall River Hawks under Nick Laguodi in the 10s and 11s before playing in last years all girls 9s competition with the Mindaribba Sistas under Guy Patten who she then followed to the Bears.

After meeting and training with Canterbury Bulldogs NRL player, Candice Clay, Lilly-Ann is now inspired to see how far she can take her footy.

“The best part of playing rugby league is the friendships I’ve made and the worst is having to play against your friends but it’s all fun,” Lilly-Ann said.

Lilly-Ann will take a very short break from rugby league before training commences for the 9s competition in October.

Lilly-Ann said ‘‘I’m excited to be a part of this growing rugby league competition for girls.”

She’d like to encourage all girls out there who are interested in learning or playing rugby league to contact their local junior clubs to register their interest so more teams can be formed and can enter future competitions.

Lilly-Ann doesn’t just play league,

She’s been awarded the Pat Gehrig Memorial Trophy for Port Stephens PSSA Zone Sportsperson of the Year.

She’s represented Hunter River High on a number of occasions.

At the NSW All Schools State Triathlon, she was in the relay team for the bike leg along with, zone and regional swimming, cross country, rugby league, athletics and snr girls touch footy.

Also on her sporting horizon is the first Nations of Origin for netball and SSA State Cross Country at Eastern Creek later this month.

By Margie TIERNEY