Front: Guy Abnett, Hunter Ings, Lara Taylor, Grace Card, Bella Betts, Tara McGrath-West. Back: Olivia Challen, Hope Chesworth, Somer Oldfield, Imogen Grange, Halle Brown, Brooke Douglas, Shelby Abnett, Mackenzie Hambrook.
The under 12’s Harden Hawks are looking to secure some victories this weekend as they head off to the Lavington Sports Ground in a Women’s Rugby League Carnival.
The girls were handed their jerseys last Friday at the Harden Country Club and were given a surprise visit from Dragon’s star Tara McGrath-West. Coming back to her hometown, Tara was met with great support in Harden.
“It’s always my hometown, it’s grassroots. I try to come back when I can, which isn’t often but I get to see some family and friends,” she said.
“It’s good to be back but that’s what I want to do, make sure that the girls know they’ve got a pathway that they can play at that top level, that’s what’s important.”
Tara has recently won a place in the Young Gun Team of the Year as well as now winning the St George Illawarra Dragons Emerging Talent Award.
Tara reflected on her path to the top and hopes the girls can one day join her there.
“It’s been amazing. I’m truly grateful to have that opportunity and play at that level.
It’s something I’ve wanted for ages and it’s good to have it. “It definitely makes me feel a lot more grateful and honoured to be on [the Young Gun Team of the Year].
It’s good to see that my hard work has been recognised.
“Just don’t give up on believing in yourself and work hard because that’s what it takes.”
Courtesy of the Junior Harden Hawks Club, they have provided small profiles of each player before they play this weekend.
Olivia Challen Age: 12 Nickname: Latte AFL Team: Swans NRLW Team: Parramatta Favourite AFL Player: Buddy Franklin Favourite NRLW Player: Kezie Apps and Teagan Berry What does your coach say often: “Listen up, Latte”
Hope Chesworth Age: 11 Nickname: Chezzy NRL Team: Raiders and Eels NRLW: Parramatta Eels Favourite NRL Player: Jack Wighton Favourite NRLW Player: Kezie Apps What does your coach say often: “Try your best”
Somer Oldfield Age: 11 Nickname: Sam NRL Team: Sharks NRLW Team: NSW Blues Favourite NRLW Player: Rachael Pearson What does your coach say often: “Do it properly or you will have to do sprints”
Edie Shea Age: 11 Nickname: E NRL Team: Raiders NRLW Team: Eels Favourite NRL Player: Elliot Whitehead Favourite NRLW Player: Kennedy Cherrington What does your coach say often: “Get going or we do sprints”
Taylah Isbister Age: 11 Nickname: Tay NRL Team: Bulldogs NRLW Team: Dragons Favourite NRL Player: Josh Addo-Carr Favourite NRLW Player: Hollie Wheeler What does your coach say often: “Don’t walk, run”
Imogen Grange Age: 12 Nickname: Grangey NRL Team: Raiders NRLW Team: NSW Blues Favourite NRL Player: Jarred Crocker Favourite NRLW Player: Ali Briggenshaw What does your coach say often: “You’ve got to get off that line” and “You’ve got to go up together”
Halle Brown Age: 10 Nickname: Browny NRL Team: Roosters NRLW Team: Roosters Favourite NRL Player: James Tedesco Favourite NRLW Player: Kezie Apps What does your coach say often: “If we walk, we have to do another lap”
Brooke Douglas Age: 12 Nickname: Joyce NRL Team: James Tedesco NRLW Team: Sam Bremmer What does your coach say often: “We could go places”
Shelby Abnett Age: 11 Nickname: Mouse NRL Team: Raiders NRLW Team: Dragons Favourite NRL Player: Tom Starling Favourite NRLW Player: Tara McGrath-West, Hunter Ings and Teagan Berry What does your coach say often: “Shoulder first”
Mackenzie Hambrook Age: 11 Nickname: Kenzie NRL Team: Rabbitohs NRLW Team: Dragons Favourite NRL Players: James Tedesco Favourite NRLW Player: Tara McGrath-West What does your coach say often: “Breath through your nose not your mouth”
Bella Betts Age: 12 Nickname: Bell NRL Team: Broncos NRLW Team: Broncos Favourite NRL Player: James Tedesco Favourite NRLW Player: Ali Brigginshaw What does your coach say often: “C’mon girls and hurry up”
Grace Card Age: 11 Nickname: G NRL Team: Rabbitohs NRLW Team: Dragons Favourite NRL Player: Nicho Hynes Favourite NRLW Player: Kezie Apps and Teagan Berry What does your coach say often: “Go for the ankles”
Lara Taylor Age: 12 Nickname: Larz NRL Team: Roosters NRLW Team: Roosters Favourite NRL Player: James Tedesco Favourite NRLW Player: Isabelle Kelly What does your coach say often: “Move up in a line, girls”
Darby Abnett (trainer) Age: 10 Nickname: Doogs NRL Team: Rabbitohs NRLW Team: Paramatta Eels Favourite NRL Player: Cam Murray Favourite NRLW Player: Millie Boyle, Hunter Ings and Teagan Berry What does your coach say often: “Strong core, strong overall”
Guy Abnett (coach) Age: 41 Nickname: Coach NRL Team: Paramatta Eels NRLW Team: Parramatta Eels Favourite NRL Player: Shaun Lane Favourite NRLW Player: Tara McGrath-West What do you say often: “Move up together in a line”
Jack Murray
