Words from the coach, Gavin Lennon.
Twelve months in the making, our NSW Women’s team finally got to make history, taking out the inaugural Australian Police State of Origin.
The first ever Australian Police Women’s State of Origin was slated to be played in 2021 on the Gold Coast, however, Covid reared its ugly head and a week before we were due to fly out, borders closed and with that, so did our opportunity to create history.
But, as is the way with policing, adversity creates and inspires a deeper resolve and from this, sprouts opportunity.
In 2021, we had a total of 38 women playing in a one off, City v Country fixture, form which the NSW team was picked. Fast forward no more than 6 months, and we had a fully-fledged tournament at Tamworth, with 5 teams, over 100 players and a new standard of competition for our girls. From this, City and Country squads were picked, and the footy reached a height that was recognised across the wider Rugby League community.
Off the back of the City v Country fixture, our girls were being noticed, and creating a buzz amongst scouts from NRLW and the NSWRL Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership.
The City v Country fixture saw the Country girls run out victors for the second year running, in another tight and enthralling clash. There were a number of standouts during the game and the selectors were left with quite the headache in selecting a 19-woman squad to represent NSW.
The squad that was picked had a healthy mix of footballing experience and youth, grit and flare, no-nonsense attitude and carefree abandon.
We came together in camp on the Tuesday, with a training session at Mascot Oval, and from the first minute we were together, we knew we had something very special. The girls bonded instantly, training was intense and physical, competitive, but full of respect for each other.
Our messaging was simple, we were creating history. We were setting the precedent for all of those 0who will come after us. The girl next to you was your protector, you were her protector, she was the only person you were accountable to for the 60 minutes of footy that was to be played on Friday. Our mantra was, “I am, because we are”.
That theme rang out through the week leading into the game. Everything we did, we did together. We worked hard, we laughed hard, we prepared, we partied, we became comfortable with each other by taking ourselves out of our own comfort zone.
Game day was an amazing experience. Our staff were unbelievable, creating the closest thing to a professional experience imaginable. Clemmo with his physical preparation, Hutcho and Condo managing player welfare, Collo ensuring the whole thing ran seamlessly and of course Chewy with his expert knowledge on injury management and high-level performance preparation. Not to mention, the right-hand man, D-Train, inspiring the girls, managing the bench and providing the unbridled passion that every team feeds off.
The real show though, that was the girls. They embraced the messaging, they executed the game plan and they fought for 60 minutes to get the result that we so desired. There were 19 girls who did the Blue jersey proud, put the team before themselves, and truly set the benchmark for anyone who wears that Blue jersey after them.
In a tough fought battle, we got the victory 10-4, with tries to Kiara White and Bianca Wright. In our minds though, it was not the score that mattered. It was the attitude, commitment and desire to win that defined this team. It was an absolute pleasure to spend the week with you all and I hope to do it all again next year.
A huge congratulations to all the girls who made the Australian team, and to those who missed out, just know, “they are, because you were”. Take pride in what you have helped your mates achieve. Know that you are responsible for laying the foundation for something that will last forever. You are the first bricks in our “Blue Wall”.
NSW Women’s Police in historic win (story Margie McDonald, NSW Rugby League)
The NSW Women’s Police team made it a blissful 48 hours for the Blues Police teams by winning the inaugural Origin game against Queensland 10-4 at Sydney’s Leichhardt Oval on Friday.
It followed the NSW Men’s Police team enjoying a 28-12 victory over Queensland on Wednesday night at Accor Stadium in the curtain-raiser to the opening Ampol State of Origin game.
ut while the men have played an interstate game each year, this is the first time female police officers from both states have done battle.
The Blues players had a little extra support in NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb in the stands at Leichhardt Oval to cheer on the NSW team.
She also addressed both sides at the conclusion before Blues skipper Gabrielle Suckling was handed the Origin shield.
NSW led 10-4 at the break in the 60-minute match, scoring two tries to one. Fierce defence from both sides kept the second half scoreless.
The game wasn’t even four minutes old, when NSW fullback Kiara White chimed into the backline catching the Queenslander defenders napping.
Off the back of points the Blues dominated for the next 10 minutes before Queensland managed to secure the ball inside NSW’s 20m zone for a couple of repeat sets.
That pressure was rewarded when forward Mekilah Acworth barged over for the Maroons only try to level scores at 4-4.
Both teams got into the grind before three NSW players forced a goal-line drop-out by driving the Queensland ball carrier back into the in-goal.
Two plays later and a nice left-edge move saw NSW’s Bianca Wright gratefully accept an off-load and score.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Harvey Norman Tarsha Gale Cup halfback Nerida Gregory converted to give NSW a six-point lead at half-time.
Both teams desperately searched for points in the second half. Queensland half Samantha Bliss was held up over the chalk, while NSW winger Brooke Walker made a 40m bust down the eastern touchline but her pass inside went to ground.
Then Gabrielle Suckling lost the ball over the Maroons line. But the Blues were inspired and did not want their line crossed again.
Staunch defence from Mounties Katerina Hinton and Campbelltown Kangaroos prop Brittany Lee Bedford jolted the ball free with Queensland on the attack and less than two minutes on the clock.
That took the gas out of the Maroons final push for points. Bedford was later named “Player of the Match”.
The match was streamed live into every police station from both states so officers could celebrate this piece of Rugby League history.
NSWWPRL front rower Zoe Bedford received the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
The night before State of Origin one and the NSWPRL V QLD PRL men’s, the women had a jersey presentation at the Pullman Park Hyde Park, where NSWPRL Ambassador, Balmain, NSW and Australian legend Paul Sironen presented the jerseys to each player along with their coach Gavin Lennon and Peter Renfry from the Police Bank, one of the major sponsors.
The Women’s team attended State of Origin 1 at ACCOR Stadium homebush and cheered for the NSWPRL men’s team to victory over the QLD Police team.
