Baradine rugby league forward Ashanti Pennell came a step closer to hitting the big time when she made her NSW Women’s Premiership debut with the South Sydney Rabbitohs last week.

In 2021, Ashanti was selected to the NSW Country Rugby under 18s team, impressing coaches over the years with a strong work ethic.

Eighteen-years-old and only just completing Year 12, she was chosen in the next year to play Tarsha Gale Cup with West Tigers under 19s squad.

In November 2023 the Rabbitohs announced her as part of their 29-woman premiership squad.

The Rabbitohs faced the Newcastle Knights on Friday 13 September at Sydney’s Redfern Oval, where Ashanti switched in for Kyana Patten in 59th minute.

Baradine Magpies Secretary Bronwyn Masman watched the game at a friend’s house.

“It was nice to see her on the field. She’s trained hard, and moved to Sydney for it,” Ms Masman said.

“All Magpies would be very proud of her, win or lose.”

It was a rough beginning for the front rower, with Newcastle scoring in the same minute to bring the tally to 40-4.

A chip from Ashanti within the ten-metre line saw the green and red almost claim a second try in the last ten minutes, but the fairytale ending was not to be.

The footy slipped past the Knights’ line and into the goal area.

Fellow forward Nancy Sullivan gave chase and made a dive for contact, but it bounced out of reach and out of play.

The final score remained unchanged at the final whistle in round 11 of the competition.

“She’s worked hard her whole life, and so have her family. You put your life on hold a bit as well to follow your child’s dream,” Ms Masman said.

Ashanti also played in Bathurst with the Castlereagh Cougars on Saturday 14 September in the Western Women’s Rugby League Opens competition, where she scored the side’s only try against Panorama Platypi.

The Platypi defeated the Cougars 54-4 in the first round.