A NSW-based competition with three teams and a round-robin format, each fixture will be played as curtain raisers to all New South Wales-based NRC derbies in 2017.
Chairwomen of NSW Women’s Rugby, Kerry Chikarovski says that female participation in all variations of rugby union is on the rise and that this tournament will help facilitate that growth.
“Women’s rugby is growing very quickly, it is the fastest growing female sport in the world,” she said. “NSW is taking advantage of that by making sure we have both girl’s and women’s tournaments in both Sevens and 15’s.
“I just want to see it get bigger and bigger.”
In its first year, the Chikarovski Cup is another platform to help progress the rising stars up through the ranks while simultaneously increasing the profile of the game.
“The tournament will give the women’s game the exposure that it needs… and the NRC competition is an opportunity to give them that greater audience, said Chikarovski.
“The thing that the girls haven’t had is an opportunity to go from club rugby to anywhere else before they get selected for Wallaroos so this is an opportunity for them to get that exposure through the NRC, develop their skills and be much better national representatives as a consequence.
“There will be plenty of passion on that field.”
The inaugural Chikarovski Cup will be played as the Curtain Raiser with the Greater Sydney Rams playing the NSW Country Eagles. The newly-established tournament will serve as another platform for the NSW girls to ply their trade on the field, providing more opportunities to women who are making their way through the pathway onto higher honours.
2017 Chikarovski Cup Fixtures:
NSW Country Eagles vs Greater Sydney Rams, 1pm, Sunday September 3 at TG Millner Field
Sydney Rays vs Greater Sydney Rams, 1pm, Saturday September 16 at Pittwater Rugby Park
NSW Country Eagles vs Sydney Rays, 1pm, Monday October 2 at Simon Poidevin Oval, Goulburn
TEAM LISTS
NSW Country Eagles
1. Hayley Amm, Mereweather/Carlton
2. Melissa Fatu, Campbelltown
3. Lisa Lamese, Campbelltown
4. Jemima Henry, Campbelltown
5. Annika Jamieson, Wanderers
6. Candice Pisu, Campbelltown
7. Ana Mahina, Campbelltown
8. Kathleen Ostler, Wauchope
9. Inangaro Maraeara, Campbelltown
10. Alafou Fatu, Campbelltown
11. Therese Taefu, Campbelltown
12. Naomi Medlin, Mereweather/Carlton
13. Sally Fuesaina,Campbelltown
14. Elizabeth Maraeara, Campbelltown
15. Chelsea Leau, Campbelltown
16. Chantelle Lee, Tamworth
17. Mele Kavapalu, Campbelltown
18. Jade Wilson, University
19. Paula Feagaiga, Campbelltown
20. Kitiara Porter, Wauchope
21. Molly Kennedy, Warialda
22. Diana Teafu, Campbelltown
23. Maddi Ingram, Mereweather/Carlton
Greater Sydney Rams
1. Tina Sio, Parramatta
2. Tasmin Sheppard, Sydney University
3. Lisa King,Campbelltown
4. Ana Sio, Parramatta
5. Claire Zanotti, Sydney University
6. Katalina Baekdal, Parramatta
7. Celine Tan, Sydney University
8. Alexandra Sulusi, Parramatta
9. Barbara Waddell, Sydney University
10. Jade Fonua, Sydney University
11. Isabella Parkman, Sydney University
12. Josephine Falesita, Parramatta
13. Kayla Sauvao, Parramatta
14. Bronte Stutchbury, Sydney University
15. Jonell Lemusu, Parramatta
16. Brittany Le’au’anae, Sydney University
17. Lope Leiataua, Sydney University
18. Mele Kavapalu, Campbelltown
19. Haruka Takahashi, Sydney University
20. Iliseva Batibasaga, Sydney University
21. Alafou Fatu, Campbelltown
22. Natalie Crow, Sydney University
23. Jade Huggins, Parramatta
