Maitland 15-year-old Jorga Holden’s decision to switch from basketball and netball to rugby union two years ago has been rewarded with selection in the NSW under-17 Women’s Sevens team.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
To say she is a natural at the game is an understatement. The Hunter Sports High School student has already won representative honours in the XV game as well making the NSW Country under-15 team.
A wing in under-17 and centre in under-15s, Holden said she was shocked when she was named in the squad.
“I’m only 15 and its the under-17 state team so I wasn’t expecting anything really.”
Rugby has become a family game with her elder sister Zoe, who turns 17 in January, injuring her collarbone and missing the NSW trial.
But the most experienced Holden, is nine-year-old Emma who has been part of the Maitland Rugby Club’s Little Blacks Army since she was four.
“We used to go to watch her games and we really wanted to play but there was nothing for us,” Holden said.
“This is only my second year in rugby.
“My first game was at Hunter Sports High almost two years ago. I’d never played it and the coach thought my sister and I did pretty good for our first time.
“Zoe and I play for Hunter in the Sydney competition and this year I started playing with the boys as well.
“I played with the Maitland Blacks under-14s and I learned so much, particularly in relations to skills.”
Holden will be joined by Hunter Sports High schoolmate Emma Bradford, 16, in the team.