Growing up in Bundaberg Hannah Mountford has always had a smile on her face and a football in her hand, and now her positive attitude and hard work has secured a place in the Queensland Sapphires.
Playing for Wide Bay Bulls, Hannah was the only local player selected in one of two Under 19 squads to compete at this year’s Harvey Norman Women’s National Championships.
The 2022 championships will run from 9 – 12 June and will provide players with an opportunity to push for selection in the Harvey Norman Queensland Under 19 team to play New South Wales.
Bundaberg Junior Rugby League chairman Wayne Bender said they were extremely proud to hear of the selection of one of their own players for the Queensland Sapphires.
“This is an amazing effort for a local Bundaberg girl to make this squad. She is the only one from the Wide Bay who has been selected,” Wayne said.
“Hannah loves the game, it’s nothing new for her, she is passionate and a good ambassador for the game in Bundy.
“Hannah came through the ranks with us, so it definitely shows there is a pathway for any young girl wanting to go on. This pathway can definitely lead to representative rugby.”
Wayne said Hannah was a great example for young Bundaberg rugby league players and she showed what a future in the sport could become.
More under-14 female rugby league players needed
In the lead up to the start of the 2022 Bundaberg Junior Rugby League season, Wayne said there was a pressing need for the recruitment of under-14 girls for the Bundaberg competition.
“There is a chance to move to the next step, like Hannah,” he said.
“The girls didn’t play through the Covid-19 period and we are needing to build up the under-14s again.
“There could be a girl that picks up the ball now for the first time at 13 or 14, who goes on to play representative rugby in the future.”
He said currently the team was a little short on numbers and they hoped to see them grow before the season kicked off on 14 May.
Anyone interested in finding out more about joining the under-14 team or Bundaberg Junior Rugby League can click here.
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