PREPARATIONS for the 2019 Super W competition has started with the naming of a group of 47 players, including Vincentia’s Ash Hewson, in the NSW Women’s training squad.
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The squad includes up and coming youngsters and players with Test experience, including 23 of the 2018 Super W squad members, 18 of which are also Wallaroos.
Ellie ‘Wrecking Ball’ Johnston, who hails from the Mid North Coast has only been playing rugby for eight months. Playing for Wauchope Thunder, Johnston was selected to play for NSW Country after a standout performance in the Country Championships earlier this year.
“I’m really excited for the opportunity to train under the coaches and alongside the other talented girls in NSW,” Johnston said.
“If it wasn’t for the Super W trial matches, I may not have even been selected.
“These trial games gave girls from the country an opportunity to show what they can do on the field and the chance to represent their state.”
Fi Jones, who helped lead Sydney University to a Jack Scott victory in September, will return to the Super W outfit for 2019 after a blistering season in which she was included in the Wallaroos squad as well.
“I gained so much experience from 2018’s Super W and the Wallaroos, so I’m just focused on building on that experience and preparing well for next season,” Jone said.
“I’d also obviously like to continue our winning streak and take out the 2019 Super W trophy too.”
Jones started playing rugby when she was 14.
Originally from the United Kingdom, rugby stole her heart in Australia and she’s never looked back.
“I was traveling around Australia when I met some of the Sydney University girls through an old teammate,” she said.
“I played a few Sevens tournaments at the time, but that’s how I was introduced to Sydney University and I’ve now played with them for five years.
“It’s a family away from home for me, I’m very grateful for all the opportunities I have been given with them.
“Club rugby is so important for the development of players because a lot of girls and women walk into our club not having played before.
“This is where they get to learn the game and have fun, but now there is a clear pathway into representative rugby with the two trial games from this year, Super W and beyond.”
Waratahs training squad: Katrina Barker, Illseva Batibasaga, Claudia Bell, Kennedy Cherrington, Josephine Falesita, Alafou Fatu, Courtney Frankl, Ash Hewson, Ellie Johnston, Atasi Lafai, Chloe Laupepe, Kirrily Laws, Phoebe Loughhead, Crystal Maguire, Arabella McKenzie, Cobie-Jane Morgan, Mahalia Murphy, Shanice Parker, Jasmine Sio, Maya Stewart, Mardi Watts, Katalina Baekdal, Emily Chancellor, Britney Duff, Melissa Fatu, Amanda Gibson, Noella Green, Grace Hamilton, Jemima Henry, Evelyn Henry, Fi Jones, Arinana Kaiwai, Eva Karpani, Victoria Latu, Natalie Maclarn, Yolanda Maiava, Loretta Mailangi, Sera Naiqama, Pareake O’Brien, Bridie O’Gorman, Emily Robinson, Tasmin Sheppard, Ana-Lise Sio, Alex Sulusi, Inge Visser, Yisera Volkman and Matalena Wilson.
