WHEN Marita Shoulders was playing rugby in Sydney, she never would have imagined that a women’s clash would be used as a National Rugby Championships curtain raiser.
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But that is exactly what will happen this Sunday at Concord Oval and even more amazingly for Shoulders, she will be one of those lacing up her boots.
Bathurst Bulldogs talent Shoulders was one of seven Central West players named in the NSW Country squad ahead of two matches they will play against the Sydney Women. They will take place alongside two NRC fixtures.
“No, I never would have imagined it. Not from the battle that we faced back in the Sydney comp when we struggled to be on the same field as the men, even to train, let alone play at this high a level,” Shoulders said.
“It’s amazing to be played as a curtain raiser, it’s really good exposure for the women.
“I’m just enjoying it, I feel like I’m a little old for this and wish it had happened a few years ago, but I’m taking every opportunity I can at the moment.”
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Named in the NSW Country squad alongside Shoulders are Bulldogs club-mates Melissa Waterford, Mandy Scott and Claudia McLaren, CSU star Claire Woolmington, Orange’s Emily McDonald and West Wyalong’s Sharnah Stevens.
Unfortunately McLaren will not play on Sunday due to her AON 7s commitments.
All of them competed in the Central West’s inaugural Ferguson Cup competition this season, with the Bulldogs trio and Woolmington participating in the grand final.
Even so Shoulders, who was named named player of the tournament at the NSW Country Rugby Union Women’s Championship in May, was surprised to see so many Central West talents named in the Country squad.
“I am surprised yes, because there are still a lot of Sydney players in there. Obviously we take in Campbelltown and I think the metro girls got the option, if they’d played in the country before or come from country, to select what team they want to be in,” Shoulders said.
“We often get overlooked out here too.”
While trying to topple the talented Sydney Women is another step, Shoulders is delighted to have her first NSW Country jumper and said just training will be a valuable experience.
“I’ve only ever played for Sydney before, half of the Sydney team I’ve played with and against. There are a few of the girls in the Country team that I used to play with in Sydney like Ariana Kaiwai, she plays for the Wallaroos team now but she played with me at Blacktown when she first ever played rugby over here when she was like 15,” she said.
“I always wanted to play for Country, I just didn’t know how to go about it because I was playing in Sydney.
“Mel and I were chatting about it, even if we don’t make the final team … just having quality coaching and quality players around you, we are just going to learn so much. We'll be sponges and bring as much back from it as we can.
“It’s going to be a very eye-opening experience.”
The first hit out between Country and Sydney is scheduled for Sunday at Concord Oval as part of a double-header with Sydney versus Fiji NRC. The other will be on October 7 when the NSW Country Eagles take on Brisbane City at Camden.
