From tackle to tag, 2019 is set to be a huge year for Britt Youman.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Youman will make her rugby league representative debut this Saturday when she runs out for Group 19 at the Greater Northern Championships in Tamworth.
It’s a Country Rugby League first for women with the Championships the inaugural event for the tackle version of the sport.
After playing nines late in 2018, Youman was picked in the squad and will start in the front row against Group 21 and Group 4.
“My nerves for real are through the roof,” she said.
“It’s been a while since we played so I kind of forget what to expect.
“These other Groups with be tough they’ve played a lot longer than a lot of us girls.”
The Group 19 squad has been training since December but with the furthest spread of players – from Moree to Walcha – getting them to training at the same time has been tough.
RELATED:
Nonetheless, Youman said the team has managed to gel and they work well together.
“We have had a lot of training since being picked in the side, been working on a lot of attacking drills,” she said.
“It’s been hard because we’ve only had 11 to 13 people at each training session.
“A lot of us girls on the team already knew each other so I think majority of us get along really well and can have a joke and a laugh together, which is always good!
The representative fixtures will be played at Scully Park with the Group 19 women playing Group 21 at 11.05am before facing Group 4 at 1.10pm.
After the Greater Northern Championships, pending a place in the regional team for the Country Championships, Youman will turn her attention to the Guyra Super Spuds.
As well as taking on arguably the busiest role on the executive as secretary, she also put her hand up to captain-coach the league tag side this year.
“I’ve always wanted to coach,” she said.
“We didn’t have anyone apply to coach the girls so I basically put my hand up.
“My dad will probably come up and help a bit do a couple of trainings which is good.”
As far as player numbers are concerned, Youman said they are trying to spark some interest and attract new and old players to the club.
“The girls don’t have as much interest as I would hope,” she said.
“We have a couple of girls that didn’t play all the season last year so I’m hoping they will come back, it would be good to have some older players come back too.
“But still on the look out for more players, anyone is welcome as long as you’re committed!”
The Spuds play in the Group 19 second division competition which is aimed at smaller clubs looking to build.
While competitive, second division had a focus off-the-field on a social environment and promoting the sport in the bush.
“It’s such a fun game, great fitness and a great family orientated and respectful club,” Youman said.
“We’re working towards the year 2022 because that will be 100 years of the Super Spuds and also working to keep the club going for the younger kids coming up so that they have a club to play footy when they’re old enough. That’s another thing for locals to take into considering when thinking about playing.”
Youman is hoping to start Spudettes training next week with a day yet to be confirmed.