Schoolgirls Cup

Mabel Park make schoolgirls history

by
dailytelegraph
19/09/2023

Mabel Park make schoolgirls history winning the inaugural NRL National Schoolgirls Cup (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

Mabel Park make schoolgirls history

Author : Katrina May and Andrew Dawson News Corp Sport

Mabel Park make schoolgirls history

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Skipper left speechless as Mabel Park make schoolgirls history

Mabel Park make schoolgirls history winning the inaugural NRL National Schoolgirls Cup (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

NRL Schoolgirls Cup live stream: Mabel Park State High v Hills Sports High, national final

Experience reigned supreme to deliver Mabel Park State High a historic result in the inaugural NRL National Schoolgirls Cup final against Hills Sports High.

Mabel Park have claimed the inaugural NRL Schoolgirls Cup with a 26-8 win over NSW champions Hills Sports High School at Allianz Stadium on Wednesday.

Winning captain Malaela Su’a was on the verge of tears after collecting the trophy and said the feeling is ‘incredible’.

“There are no words,” Su’a said.

Mable Park captain Malaela Su’a with the National Schoolgirl Cup (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

“I feel like I’m on fire right now, we made history and it just feels incredible.”

Su’a warned rivals that the title was only the beginning for Mabel Park.

“It’s really great that this competition exists for our young girls looking up at us,” she said.

The Hills SHS National schoolgirl Cup team (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

“They’ll know they can chase the dream and anything is possible.”

Hills were looking the stronger side in the opening 10 minutes, but it was Mabel Park who struck first as Alice Shannon powered through to open the scoring.

Lily Vaitolo doubled the advantage for the Queensland side just minutes later before a stunning try from fullback Nazlyn Waaka-Rhind, whose fantastic footwork enabled her to dodge past the Hills defence, gave Mabel Park a solid 14-0 advantage at halftime.

There was a significant delay just before the break to allow Mable Park’s Nikolina Fangupo to be wheelchaired off the field following a hard tackle, but the Queenslander was able to return to the field for the second half.

Malaela Su’a runs up the middle of Allianz Stadium (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

Hills finally struck back 10 minutes into the second half with Manua Maleka scoring before Mabel Park scored one of the strangest tries seen all year, capitalising on a mistake from Hills to push the advantage out to 16 points.

Hills got their second and tried to mount a comeback with minutes remaining, but Mabel Park quickly squashed any hope with a final converted try.

Danielle Seckhold runs up the middle of Allianz Stadium in the National Schoolgirl Cup Final (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

The Teams

The Hills Sports High School

1. Danielle Seckhold
2. Shirley Lolohea
3. Manua Maleka
4. Leila Black
5. Esther Tuipolotu
6. Olivia Vaalete
7. Aaliyah Soufan
8. Lilly-Anne Aboud
9. Jasmine Dooley
10. Salamasina Pupuali’l
11. Taylah Oasili
12. Matoisha Kalepo
13. Naioka Tuipulotu

14. Marwa Fayad
15. Shire Thocolich
16. Faye Hermez
18. Nellina Togia

Coach : Patricia Raikadroka

Mable Park State High School

1. Nazlyn Waaka-Rhind
2. Sia Asomua
3. Kaylani Tavita
4. Kiarah Siauane
5. Nikolina Fangupo
6. Malaela Su’a
7. Danielle Tukakangahau
8. Delilah Eliu
9. Lily Vaitolo
10. Daesiniy Manukonga
11. Amanii Misa
12. Athena Vili
13. Harlem Walker

14. Makayla Howarth
15. Sharlene Vaili
16. Mya Sautia
17. Alice Shannon

Coach : Chance Carey

PREVIEW

A chance at history awaits the two best schoolgirls’ rugby league teams in the country.

Hills Sports High and Mabel Park State High will clash in the inaugural NRL National Schoolgirls Cup final, with a chance to be crowned the top school in the country.

The final will be live streamed on KommunityTV at 11.30am on Wednesday as part of our national schools rugby league coverage.

Check out the full schedule below.

WATCH THE NATIONAL SCHOOLBOYS CUP FINAL

National Schoolboys/Girls Finals Live Stream Schedule
Wednesday, September 13

Allianz Stadium

NRL Trophy Grand Final
10am: Hallam College v Kildare Catholic College
WATCH IT LIVE

National Schoolgirls final
11.30am: Hills Sports v Mabel Park
WATCH IT LIVE

National Schoolboys final
1pm: Westfields Sports v Palm Beach Currumbin
WATCH IT LIVE

It is a moment that has been a long-time coming for the girls of Mabel Park.

The school has been at the forefront of women’s rugby league for almost half a decade, building a schoolgirls program before their boys back in 2015.

The program already has a proven track record of producing NRLW talent, and the trophy cabinet is already overflowing with Karyn Murphy Cup titles.

But a chance to be crowned inaugural champions is an opportunity the proud school will not want to pass up.

The Hills Sports High player makes a break before scoring a try against Erindale Sports Academy for the NRL Schoolgirls Cup. Picture: Adam Yip

“The opportunity to represent our school on the biggest stage means the world to these girls and our coaching staff,” Mabel Park coach Chace Carey said.

“Having worked alongside this group for the past five years, I have experienced first hand the highs and the lows, and witnessed the resilience the girls have developed as they have overcome every hurdle thrown their way.

“Having the opportunity to represent Queensland at the national titles extends beyond the footy field and into our broader community. I have no doubt that regardless of the result the team will put a performance together that we can be proud of.”

Hills Sports High will give up more than a few years in the experience stakes, but they will make up for it with their pride and passion.

The school’s girls program is only in its first year but has already exceeded expectations by being crowned the best schoolgirls side in NSW.

Hills Sport High will also carry the home field advantage into the game, with 300 of the school’s students ready to fill out part of the grandstands at Allianz Stadium.

“I really wanted to take the whole school, but we could only get enough buses to ship 300 kids into the city,” Hills Sports principal Amanda De Carli said.

“You can’t play in a stadium that big without a crowd, and that shows what it means for all of our students.”