The Harden Hawks Rugby League Football Club has gone from strength to strength in 2022 taking out the ladies tackle plate final and the League Tag premiership.

Three Hawks based players have now trialled for the Tarsha Gale Cup side for the Canberra Raiders and will find out if they have made the team on October 7. Hunter Ings, Chloe Wade and Abbie Grant were put through their paces on Friday September 23.

Hunter made last year’s side and hopes to make the squad again while she encouraged both Chloe and Abbie to tryout this year.

“We only went down last Friday to do that one training run, there were about 30 girls that trialled.

We played a couple games against each other and that’s it,” said Hunter Ings.

“My first two games I started on the bench and ever since then, he started putting me on the side and then I played in Wing and half.

“It’s the best experience to play alongside other girls as well.”

Chloe Wade found it to be a great time despite her initial reaction.

“I was definitely nervous, didn’t really want to have a go at it but then I’ve talked to a fair few people and my father kind of just said, what’s the worst that can happen?” she said.

“It’s a good experience to have a go at trialling and see what it’s all about.

“Prior to this season with the Warhawks, I’d only played school tackle. David [Ings], made the decision to put me in hooker, although with the Raiders, I was actually playing second row, which is also a good opportunity to learn from other positions rather than just hooker.

“It was really good to see the skill of numerous girls around our area. It was great to feed off their energy and their skill and just learn from other girls my age.”

Abbie Grant also joined the two girls on the day.

“I’d prefer to bring in the halves or lock but I wanted to see what it was like, and have a go,” she said.

“I’ve never tried for anything before so I thought I’d just see what it was like. “I like to travel because I like playing for Harden but it’s definitely a bit of a pain.”

The future of rugby league in Harden is looking bright with these girls.

Jack Murray