Emma pictured at the 2019 presentations.

Canberra Region Rugby League (CRRL) held their annual awards night on Tuesday over Facebook livestream and local talent did not disappoint.

Emma James was named Best and Fairest of the George Tooke Shield Competition for the fourth year in a row.

Hawkettes pocket rocket Georgia Smith and Cootamundra Bullettes player Maddison Gillies tied for second place in the Best and Fairest Tally, followed by Boorowa Roverettes player Mackella Pye and Bullettes Kristen Byrne.

Emma was also named Top Points Scorer with 150 points scored from 6 tries and 63 goals.

Georgia placed second behind Emma in the Top Points Scorer final placings with a total of 116 points.

Georgia was also recognised as Top Try Scorer in the George Tooke Shield with 29 tries, 9 tries ahead of Crookwell She Devils player Jayde Della.

Hunter Ings placed fifth in the Katrina Fanning Shield Maree Bush Best and Fairest Medal with 7 points.

Cootamundra Bulldogs player Jordyn Ballard was named the Gavin Miller Medalist for the George Tooke Shield Best and Fairest as well as Top Points Scorer with 110 points from 12 tries and 31 goals.

The Harden Hawks were also recognised as Club Champions.

Emma said the Best and Fairest award came as a big surprise.

“I definitely didn’t think I would get it. It is an honour to receive the award one time, let alone four times.”

Emma who is only 23 started her Leaguetag career as a 16 year old.

“I played soccer for a long time beforehand and got too old to continue so I took up Leaguetag.”

“I am pretty happy that I did that because we have created a pretty good team, we all combine very well.”

The Hawkettes have been a dominant force in the George Tooke Shield competition for the past six years and continued their great form this year scoring 490 points and only having 10 points scored against them.

Emma was a driving force of the Hawkettes success this year but was very humble saying the award was a team effort.

“The whole team works hard and does their own job in their positions.”

“Playing in the halves is something I take pretty seriously. I try my best to guide the team around and make their jobs as easy as I can.”

When asked how much she loves the game of Leaguetag, Emma said it is pretty much her life for the past few years and this has been aided by her role with the NRL.

“Getting a full time role with the NRL has made me involved with not only playing the game but also with the things happening behind the scenes.”

Growing participation and getting the younger generation involved and helping to explore new pathways is something Emma is enjoying as a part of her job.

“That part of my job is very rewarding and is something I am very passionate about.”

Emma said winning the award made her feel good.

“I like to see myself as a role model not only for our team but for the people that come along and watch and support us on the weekend.”

Over the years Emma has seen the growth of the interest shown by supporters towards the game of Leaguetag.

“I know there’s a lot of people that not only support the boys and the rest of our teams but they have quite enjoyed watching the Leaguetag.”

One of Emma’s best games included 14 goals from 17 attempts against the Burrangong Bears in round 5 and believes soccer was a great help.

“I think the soccer background really helps but I do train a lot in my own time when I can. I like to go and have a kick of the footy on the weekend.”

Emma would like to thank her family and her partner Jake who are always supporting her.

“This is why we play footy, to make our families proud. My family have been there for years and years supporting both myself and the Hawks Club.”

Emma would also like to thank the Harden Hawks Club and Leaguetag Coach Jason Pollard.

“If Polly didn’t coach we probably wouldn’t have the team that we do.”

“I’d also like to thank my teammates, I can’t win an award without my team-mates.”

With the skill level that Emma has, she gets asked a lot whether she will ever give tackle a go.

“I have thought about trying out the tackle side of things. Even with my job now I’m seeing different pathways that are available through women’s tackle.”

“I’m still young I will give it a try before I retire. I’ll give it a go one day”

At the moment Emma is enjoying Leaguetag, “it’s a great, fast game.”

Tahlia Crane