Australian rugby league player Meg Ward visited the junior players to share some words of wisdom and congratulate the students on their sporting achievements. 

Tindal RAAF firefighter Ward made her international debut this year in the rugby league world cup.

Only three months ago Ward was a rugby league rookie.

“I came down this morning to meet all the kids, it has been a really fun morning,” Ward said. 

“It was great to talk to the girls especially, the women’s league is taking off in Australia at the moment. 

“I spoke to them about getting out there and playing more sport and encourage any girls who are interested in rugby to jump in and give it a go.

“There are definitely pathways here for them to go all the way,” she said. 

Katherine South Primary School student Erin Dahl said she wants to play like Ward when she is older. 

“I watched Meg play in one of the world cup games it was really cool,” Ms Dahl said.

“It was really exciting for her to come down and watch us today.”

Katherine rugby academy coach Tim East said the program already had a lot of interest for 2018.

“A major goal for the academy rather than grow its numbers is to retain those who have accessed the program this year,” Mr East said.

“During the first semester we had two teams participate in the Luke Kelly Cup against other Katherine schools. We had the largest participation numbers and largest amount of girls.

“Teams finished third and fifth from seven teams,” he said. 

“We then had one team travel to Darwin to participate in the Eels Primary School Cup attended by 16 teams from Darwin and Palmerston. We again had the largest participation from girls and finished third.”

This year the rugby academy had 81 Katherine players and 128 training sessions.

Rugby league awards for 2017:

Katherine Region Rugby League: Jake Pierce, William Wallace

Katherine Region Touch Football Girls: Jordyn Hohn.

Katherine Region Touch Football Boys: William Wallace, Joe Wendt

SSNT Rugby League Squad: Jake Pierce (Reserve)

SSNT Touch Football Squad: William Wallace

NT Titans Rugby League Squad: Joshua King (Captain)

NTRU Rugby Squad: Jake Pierce, Joshua King, Tyler Derksen