Emma James (19, right) and Grace Smith (16, left) will represent Monaro in League Tag after both young ladies were selected in the representative side today.
They trialed in Cooma on Anzac Day alongside fellow Harden Hawkettes, Maddie Douglas, who is enjoying her first year with the senior side, and Hawkette stalwarts, Georgia and Clare Smith. The latter two, Grace’s sisters. The Harden contingent joined forces with the best that the Bungendore Tigerettes had to offer and it proved very fruitful.
The side played two games on the day with the first match against Group 16, who they defeated, before coming up against Group 8 who defeated them. Emma said “They were strong but it wasn’t a bad game. They picked the side from those 3 teams but they didn’t let us know until a week later. I was really surprised that the other girls didn’t get picked, they played really well on the day. I enjoy playing with the other girls it would have been great to play with them.”
Grace and Emma.
Emma and Grace will head to Cowra next Saturday 13th, to take on the Western Rams before they head to Canberra for their regular George Tooke round the following day.
League Tag will take the focus of both ladies with training for the Monaro side held in Tuggeranong on Wednesday, to accommodate the vast distance that the other squad members will cover. Some of Emma and Graces’s team mates will travel from Bega to represent the side.
Emma has immersed herself in the world of Rugby League and has been working casually as a Game Development Officer. She said “We don’t just do footy stuff, we go to the schools and teach them about how to deal with bullying and lots of life skills. I go to all of the Mortimer Shields and gala days and help promote the game.”
Emma getting a kick away against Crookwell on Saturday.
Emma was on hand at Murrumburrah High school on Monday when the Cronulla Sharks players, James Segeyaro and Jayden Walker visited the school with the 2016 Premeirship Trophy.
She said she is finding more work now that footy season has started and is also refereeing a lot and working as a touch judge. “It keeps me busy, playing and refereeing on the same day.”
Emma normally plays her match for the Hawkettes before a quick change in clothes, before running out as a touch judge for the First Grade side.
Grace is in year 11 at Hennessy Catholic College and has rapidly improved since first playing for the Hawkettes 3 years ago. She said “It’s the first rep side I have made, I have been playing with the Hawkettes for 3 years and started playing Fullback last year and have played there this year to.”
Grace getting a pass away to her outside support.
The youngest of the Smith family, Grace uses her elusive running to her advantage and is often seen running around opposition players when bringing the ball back after the opposition 5th tackle.
The Smith family playing for the Hawks includes: Pat (18) Grace (16) and Georgia and Clare both (21).
Both Georgia and Clare must have been very close to be selected also, as the experienced pair light the field up each week for the maroon and whites.
Hawks! Hawks! Hawks!
