The inaugural North Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Rugby League (NQISSRL) team took to the field at the Hutchinson Builders Centre (NQ Cowboys), on Sunday 21 August against the touring Northern Territory Titans. The NQISSRL team was made up of girls from 7 of the 10 QISSRL eligible schools (Burdekin through to Ingham and out to Mt Isa). 

With a 30 minute meet & greet with coaching staff and a chance to hear from the NQ Cowboys Elite Pathways Coach Ben Jeffries about the opportunities on the horizon, the girls took to the field for a light team run before preparing for the game. 

The girls came together brilliantly to win the match 24-8, with some stand out performers from each school and girls playing their first ever game of Rugby League in the process. In particular Fullback Lily Twiname (SMMC), Front Rower Adele Jensen (GSMC), Centre Imogen Ruyg (CCC), 2nd Rower April Major (SCCC), Forward Maria Whap (ASSG), Outside Back Ashlyn Hoey (BT) and the youngest of the squad, Halfback Ava Wagner (RCC), all had outstanding games. 

The NQISSRL Invitational team was an idea to bring together players from across our QISSRL Confraternity Carnival eligible schools and form a genuine representative team to play higher level touring schools and/or regions. Playing opportunities are looking to be developed further throughout 2023 for both girls and boys. 

Inaugural NQISSRL Girls 17s

1. Lily Twiname (St Margaret Mary's College, Hyde Park)
2. Eileen Naiteqe (Blackheath and Thornburgh, Charters Towers)
3. Imogen Ruyg (Columba Catholic College, Charters Towers)
4. Bridget Wilson (Columba Catholic College, Charters Towers)
5. Ashlyn Hoey (Blackheath and Thornburgh, Charters Towers)
6. Kodi Leysley (Ryan Catholic College, Kirwan)
7. Carley D'Emden (Gilroy Santa Maria College, Ingham)
8. Adele Jensen (Gilroy Santa Maria College, Ingham)
9. Lacey Watson (Ryan Catholic College, Kirwan)
10. Courtney Harvey (Southern Cross Catholic College)
11. April Major (Southern Cross Catholic College, Annandale)
12. Maria Whap (All Souls St Gabriels School, Charters Towers)
13. Eadie Baxter (St Margaret Mary's College, Hyde Park)
14. Ava Wagner (Ryan Catholic College, Kirwan)
15. Tiarna Krutzfeldt (Southern Cross Catholic College, Annandale)
16. Jada Whittle (Southern Cross Catholic College, Annandale)
17. Dallas Sherratt (Blackheath and Thornburgh College, Charters Towers)

Injured - Thalia Clarke (St Margaret Mary’s College, Hyde Park), Ally Scott (St Margaret Mary’s College, Hyde Park), Olive Whap (All Souls St Gabriels School, Charters Towers), Teesha Edwards (St Margaret Mary’s College, Hyde Park)