Tara McGrath-West is celebrating after being selected as part of the Canberra Raiders Tarsha Gale Cup team. The selection follows months of trials, training and testing, which pushed all the girls trialing to their very limits, with the very best selected last week following prolonged deliberations by selectors. “To be selected feels amazing,” Tara said, continuing “When I found out I was filled with excitement and pride, that all the hard work they’ve put us through … has finally paid off.”
The quest to be selected commenced in August of last year, and continued over the following months with numerous training and assessment periods, culminating in a trial match in Sydney earlier this month. The selection process was Tara’s first foray into contact sport, with her extensive sporting experience ranging from basketball, to netball, to league tag. “I’m really excited to see where this takes me and see how much I’ve improved once the season is over,” said Tara.
Tara was not the only Harden sportswoman to trial, with Sharni Manton and Maddie Peisley also taking part in the early process, and Tara extends her thanks to them for their support. She also extends her sincere thanks to her mum and dad for their support, and to all those who helped her get to and from training. “If there’s any other girls out there who are interested in Rugby League or think they may be, just give it a crack and step outside your comfort zone because you never know what it’ll bring,” Tara said.
