QRL names female performance program squad

The Queensland Rugby League has announced the players who will feature in the Queensland Female Performance Program squad for the 2019-2020 season.

Part of a continuing focus of the QRL on developing the female game, the squad will take part in a series of camps which form part of a structured performance program – a key component of the preparation for the recently announced QRL statewide competition.

This will help players work towards a progression into the NRLW competition and to push for selection in the Harvey Norman Maroons State of Origin team, who will play on the Sunshine Coast in June next year.

More than just a training program, the camps will be focused on identifying areas of improvement for all players including their physical and strength performance and how to gain a mental edge, and they will also receive information about nutrition and wellbeing.

“Each player will receive homework and feedback, be it for their skills development, physical performance or game execution, and each player will get back as much as they contribute,” QRL representative programs and female elite pathways manager Mitchell Constance said.

“We expect them to train and do their homework away from the group, and each player will have the potential to be selected and to run out onto Sunshine Coast Stadium for the Harvey Norman Maroons in 2020.

“It is a very exciting time for female rugby league and the Queensland Pathways and Performance staff, Harvey Norman Maroons coaching staff are invested and committed.”

The squad features member of the 2019 Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons squad as well as players who have impressed this year during their regular season games in the SEQ Women’s Division 1 competition and NRLW.

The squad also features some young faces who were part of the inaugural Queensland Under 18 Girls team last year with Jessica Reeves and China Polata being elevated into the senior squad.

Queensland Female Performance Program squad

Tarryn Aiken
Heather Ballinger
Chelsea Baker
Annette Brander
Brittany Breayley
Ali Brigginshaw
Karina Brown
Brianna Clarke
Rangimarie Edwards Bruce
Jessika Elliston
Lavinia Gould
Tazmin Gray
Stephanie Hancock
Tallisha Harden
Jenni-Sue Hoepper
Chelsea Lenarduzzi
Taimane Levu
Stephanie Mooka
Rona Peters
Amber Pilley
China Polata
Shania Power
Jessika Reeves
Julia Robinson
Gemma Schnaubelt
Frieda Seu
Elle Stitt
Mariah Storch
Zahara Temara
Tallulah Tillett
Amy Turner
Tamika Upton
Meg Ward

There will be three formal camps held in 2019-2020 in the lead up to Origin, with the first one taking place in Brisbane where the players will utilise the facilities of the Queensland Academy of Sport.

Queensland Female Performance Program camps

Camp one

Brisbane – December 14-15, 2019

Camp two

Sunshine Coast – January 25-26, 2020

Camp three

Location TBC – February 15-16, 2020 (for players not involved in the NRL Nines tournament)

/NRL Public Release. View in full here.