Naomi Mack, Fofoa Tulimafono, Imke Magro and Macayan Tuaopepe are readying themselves for next month’s Australian School Rugby Union Championships after being picked for Victoria.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
A dedicated Shepparton Rugby Union club quartet is making Bulls history.
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Naomi Mack, Imke Magro, Fofoa Tulimafono and Macayan Tuaopepe are off to the Sunshine Coast next month after being picked to play Rugby 7s for Victoria at the Australian School Rugby Union Championships.
After putting in the ks and the work through trials, Greater Shepparton Secondary College duo Tuaopepe and Mack were selected for the state under-16s, while Tulimafono, 16, has been tapped for the under-18 squad.
Shepparton Christian College student Magro will also step up to the under-18 level as a 15-year-old.
It’s the first time in the Bulls’ 12-year history that several of their junior girls have been picked for such honours.
And with two of the four only recently picking up the game, coupled with travel to Melbourne twice a week for training and games, it’s an impressive effort and a point of local pride according to director of rugby Mellisa Silaga.
“(Macayan and Naomi) have played in mixed teams probably for the last two years,” Silaga said.
“Imke is new to the game and so is Fofoa.
“In their first year together playing in a full girls’ team they've managed to work hard during training and going to trials was something that we thought they might enjoy, just to see whether they could make it.
“It’s pretty big for our club — in the 12 years that it's been around, we haven't fielded a girls’ team ever.
“We've merged with clubs — including this year — but when we started off the merger with Northern Panthers, we only had four girls going from Shepp.
“We now have about 13 girls now playing since they've fielded a team, so it’s massive.
“And then to have four of them make the state team, we're all really excited and happy about it.”
(Back) Naomi Mack, Imke Magro, (front) Fofoa Tunumafono and Macayan Tuaopepe are ready to represent Victoria.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
The club is also helping the girls on their way with fundraising efforts at Vibert Reserve this Saturday for the SRUC Gala Day.
“This weekend, we're selling plates and desserts and 40 per cent of what we make at the canteen will go towards the girls,” Silaga said.
“Hopefully, we can get some support down there from our community.”
State honours for the four stars comes amid a strong push in the junior rugby sector for Shepparton.
The Bulls and GSSC have banded together to produce the Athletic Development Academy, offering students the opportunity to hone their skills and improve their fitness.
“Something the kids had been pushing for was a sport that connected to them,” Silaga said.
“Obviously, they have multiple sports in schools, but Rugby Union was not one of them.
“We were able to get our program in there and, at sign up, they had about 15 kids when they originally introduced the program to the school.
“Now there's over 35 kids participating and growing every Wednesday and, from it, we've been able to increase our numbers over at the club from 40 to now about 57.”
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