FOURTEEN-year-old Rubiee Coughlin has come one step closer to her dream of playing in the NRLW after being selected as part of the Newcastle Knights U14-17s Girls Junior Development Squad.
The Port Macquarie Sharks Rugby League junior was attending her last training session with the professional club when a Knights trainer told her the news.
“I didn’t know what to think at first, or if it was real,” Rubiee told News Of The Area.
“When I received the [confirmation] email I couldn’t believe it, I was so excited.
“It meant the world to me that someone had noticed how hard I was trying and how much I love to play.”
Rubiee was invited to join the Newcastle Knights Development Program along with approximately 200 other children aged 14-17 from many clubs across the Mid North Coast region.
Eighty of those players were girls.
The squad selection process involved three intense sessions with Newcastle Knights trainers.
Rubiee said this was an experience in itself.
“I was so happy for the chance to train in the Knights squad and increase my skills.”
The highly anticipated selection email was sent out to just 27 girls, congratulating them on being invited to join the development squad.
The road ahead starts with four training dates, hosted at a select number of rugby league clubs across the region, as they welcome the new recruits to the Knights family.
The aim of these sessions is to increase skills and continue their development.
But even before reaching this level, Rubiee’s mum Alysha knew her daughter was resilient, determined and talented.
“At first Rubiee had to play mixed football, and she was the only girl on the team for years,” Alysha told NOTA.
“This didn’t stop her though, she always got in with the boys and gave it 100 percent.
“From the moment she first stepped on the field in U9’s, she found her place and her confidence grew with every game and season – along with her love and passion for the game.”
Rubiee has been fiercely loyal to the Sharks, playing all eight seasons of her football career in a mix of tackle and league tag.
Living and breathing footy, the sport has given the shy yet witty young lady the confidence to be herself and make everyone feel good about their place in the team.
“Rubiee was always a quiet kid, but playing football has brought her out of her shell and given her so much confidence,” said Alysha.
“She is loyal to her club and her teammates; I love this about her.
“I’m proud of how she runs on that field every game, with the biggest smile on her face, you can truly see by watching her that she is doing something she absolutely loves and that makes me so happy for her.
“She has found her people and her place.
“Even when things don’t go the way they want on the field, she walks away with a smile on her face and positive things to say about the game and her team mates.
“She finds the silver lining in every game.”
Playing a number of positions over the years, including prop and five eighth, Rubiee is the only U14-17s squad member from Port Macquarie Sharks JRLC.
She says the Newcastle Knights Development Squad is just the beginning and has her sights set on following in the footsteps of former Kendall junior and NSW Blues State of Origin sensation Ellie Johnston.
“My ultimate rugby league goal is to play in the NRLW; that’s all I want, it’s my dream.
“I won’t stop until that happens.”
By Rikki WALLER
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