Sharks step up for interstate titles

After impressing selectors in a full-contact trial game six weeks ago, Rockingham Sharks rugby league players Mary Makai, Maddison Bennett and Mariah Bell have been selected to represent WA in South Australia this week.

The WA team fly over to Adelaide today for the 2016 Affiliated States Rugby League Championships — a four-day tour which will see them take on SA in the opening match on Friday morning.

WA are defending champions in the senior women division and will compete against teams from the other Affiliated States — Victoria, Northern Territory, and South Australia.

Bell, 19, has been playing rugby league for about seven years and this will be her first time representing WA.

“My life revolves around rugby,” she said.

“I love the intensity of the game and the adrenalin rush you get when you get out on the field.

“We were pretty surprised to make the team but we are really excited to get out there and see what the other States bring to the competition.”

The Rockingham girls train twice a week and play every weekend in the non-tackling Women’s League Tag division.

They had to adapt and work on their tackling skills for the Affiliated States Championship game.

“It’s different but we are definitely up for the challenge,” Bell said.

“A few people have told us that WA has the smallest team in the competition but also the fastest so we will be using that to our advantage.”

The Affiliated States Championships includes senior men and under-18 competitions.