CASTLEREAGH Cougars held their annual presentation at the Coonamble Bowling Club on Saturday 11 February to cap off the 2022 Women’s Rugby League season which began in September and finished in late November. 

Since their formation in 2018, the Cougars have welcomed over 100 female footballers to the club across five grades from 12s, 14s, 16s, 18s and Opens (18+).

Cougars players are from all over the central and far west, with players travelling for training and games from Coonabarabran, Gilgandra, Coonamble, Cobar, Baradine, Dunedoo, Gulgong, Coolah, Brewarrina, Bourke, Cobar, Warren, Trangie, Narromine, Walgett and Lightning Ridge. 

“Roughly around sixty people attended the presentation day," said Castlereagh Cougars committee member Samantha Turnbull.

"It went really well, with many players being well recognised from their efforts throughout the 2022 season. It was a quick and easy presentation day to finalise the end of what was a great women’s rugby league season.”  

According to Ms Turnbull there were many highlights with the Cougars competing strongly against more highly populated areas and pathways beginning to open up for players from around the west to take their rugby league further than has previously been possible. 

“We have had a very successful season this year, considering we played two competitions within one year. We had three teams make the semi finals, including the Under 12s, Under 18s and the Opens,” Miss Turnbull said. 

“We have also developed some very talented girls that have been scouted in various teams including Adda Craig (Coonamble) in the Under 16s who has been selected for the Rooster Development Squad and made the WWRL Lisa Fiaola Cup Representative team.

"Ashanti Pennell (Baradine) in the Under 18s was successful in gaining selection to the West Tigers Tarsha Gale team.

"Missy Karaitana (Gilgandra) in the Under 16s was successful in gaining selection to the Canberra Raiders Tarsha Gale Team.

"Tori Canham (Coonamble), Madison Masman (Baradine), Hayley Andrews (Baradine) and Kayla Hasson (Nyngan) were all selected from the Opens team to play in the Western Rams Women’s Representative team,” she said. 

ABOVE: Under 18s Castlereagh Cougars players. L-R- Olivia Milsom, Shakaye Walker and Alirah Ann. PHOTO: Supplied.

Award recipients from the Castlereagh Cougars Presentation Day included:

Under 12s

The Under 12s team was coached by Poi Britles. 

Best & Fairest - Destiny Wright (Coonamble); Players Player - Elara Jenner (Coonabarabran); Best Back- Sophie Johnson (Cobar); Best Forward- Sienna Milsom (Coonabarabran); Coaches Award- Claire Blattman (Coonamble).

Under 14s

The Under 14s team was coached by Steve Burgess. 

Best & Fairest- Hannah Sando (Mendooran); Players Player- Savannah Stewart (Coonabarabran); Best Forward- Zoe Wark (Coonabarabran); Best Back- Britney Andrews (Coonabarabran); Coaches Award- Marlea Moss (Narromine) & Remy Gleeson (Trangie).

Under 16s

The Under 16s team was coached by Josh Forgione. 

Players Player, Best & Fairest & Best Forward- Adda Craig (Coonamble); Best Back- Charlotte Thompson (Coonabarabran); Coaches Award- Anthea Karaves (Coonabarabran); Most Improved- Abby Thompson (Baradine) & Keisha Rusten (Coolah).

Under 18s

The Under 18s team was coached by Punchy Milsom.

Best & Fairest- Hallie Hogden (Dunedoo); Players Player- Shakaye Walker (Coonamble); Best Back/ Best Forward- Amarlee Vallette (Coonabarabran); Coaches Award- Rani Diggs (Gilgandra).

Opens

The Opens team was coached by Channy Burgess.

Best & Fairest- Madison Masman (Baradine); Players Player- Georgie Lane (Dunedoo) and Maria Nagy (Baradine); Best Forward- Hayley Andrews (Baradine); Best Back- Tori Canham (Coonamble); Coaches Award- Mikaela Cullen (Coonamble)