Girls battle it out for a chance at the big time

The Kolbe Catholic College girl’s rugby team have shown they can handle a few bumps and bruises after weeks of tournaments to show scouts they have the goods to play in the National Schools Rugby Sevens competition.

The girls will play in the last of five tournaments this week at Corpus Christi for their last chance to prove their worth and secure a spot in the girls’ under-18s State side.

Kolbe teacher and Rugby Union WA school girl’s under-18 coach Tyler Edwards said he was confident four to five of the girls from the college would make the cut.

“I am the State coach for Rugby WA and I am selecting 12 girls to go to the Gold Coast, Queensland from October 10 to 13,” he said.

“Rugby Sevens is strength, speed and skill.

“Between the three you have got to have a good mix.”

Mr Edwards said there were players from four WA teams Kolbe, Thornlie, Aranmore, and Corpus Christi and players from other schools who did not have a team playing in the tournament.

“Each tournament they play two to three games.

“There is a point system, but it is more about looking for the skills,” he said.

Mr Edwards said rugby was already common at Kolbe among the boys, but was a new sport for the girls. “All I’m about is creating an opportunity for the kids and I’m passionate about it, so I will try and help them along as much as possible,” he said.

Player Katie Barnes said Mr Edwards was a great coach.

“He makes us work hard which has paid off because we have been able to put it all into practice during our games,” she said.