Nambour players chosen for the U19 Queensland Super W rugby team,  from left,  Greta Gowen, Eva Johnston, Allie Salter, Georgia Flood and Bridget Carter.

A remarkable five Nambour Toads Rugby Union players were recently presented with their Queensland jerseys in preparation for an April 10 clash against the New South Wales Waratahs. 

The girls were identified playing for Nambour at Roma Sevens in February and had been travelling to Brisbane twice a week for training for the Under 19 Queensland Super W team. 

Nambour Toads Women’s Rugby coach Luke Zeremes praised the girls’ efforts and said local women’s rugby had come a long way in a short time. Nambour also had four players selected in the Queensland Country Women’s side in 2021 showcasing the pathways available on the Sunshine Coast.

After a successful 2020, in which Nambour fielded their first junior outfit in a decade and their first girls’ rugby team after a 16-year hiatus, the momentum continued in 2021. The senior women finished second on the table behind the ever-strong Noosa and the U17 team won the premiership. The 2022 season recently commenced with Nambour securing a 55-5 win over Caboolture.

“We are extremely proud of what we have established at Nambour for girl’s and women’s rugby in a short time,” said Luke. 

“Over the past 18 months, we have developed the biggest female rugby program on the Sunshine Coast. Our club attracts a lot of younger players with most of our Open Women’s side being 19 years of age or younger. There are some amazing representative pathways available for female players and we are driven to help these young women achieve their goals. ”