Kathleen was also named Player of the Tournament last weekend at the New South Wales Country Women’s Rugby championships at Forster.

For the very first time, Mid North Coast women’s rugby was represented, with players coming from all over the MNC, including several from the Wauchope Thunder rugby club.

Kitiara said she was very surprised to be chosen for the Corellas.

“It was a big thing.  It was my first Country Champs, and being only 17, I didn’t think this would happen.

“I didn’t feel I played to the best of my abilities.  They must have seen something in me.  And when my older sister was named in the side, well that was the cherry on top,” she said.

Her mother, Jacky Ostler, is extremely proud of both her daughters.

“I was blown away,” she said.

“It was absolutely fantastic.  I was very teary, but it was one of those very, very proud Mummy moments.”

The Corellas will play a seven match program, which will see the team contest the Southern States Championships, take on arch rivals Sydney and participate at the National Championships.

Wauchope Thunder club president, Aaron Robinson was delighted in the effort of all the Wauchope girls playing for the Mid North Coast team.

“To have Kathleen and Kitiara as our first Country representatives is a testament to the inclusiveness of Wauchope Thunder,” he said.

Coach Steven Lee said the first game against Central North was a massive step up from training.

“When the opposition scored the first two tries, we could have surrendered and been overwhelmed or we could have fought back. So pleased to see the character and heart of this team, was not to give in but to believe in ourselves and fight back for the win.

“That last 14 minutes seemed like three hours. When that final whistle went, I was unbelievable happy and elated for ‘my girls’. 

He said the second game, against Central West, was there for the taking. But he said the first win was still on their minds.

“Our lack of focus, application and mind on the job, let the opportunity for a second win, slip away.”

The third game was against Hunter.

“The way we came out of the ‘blocks’ and then saw Kitiara Porter crash over for a try early in the game, we not only reached our benchmark, but rose above it,” said Steve.

At half time and during the entire second half, he never lost faith in the team’s ability to come from behind and defeat Hunter.

“That effort was truly amazing. It was pure guts and determination, and the ‘never surrender’ attitude that I always search for in a team.

“At the end of the game, as I was walking to our post game briefing, I was truly bursting with pride and emotion for what you girls had just achieved.”

The coach said the team had truly reached the potential he was hoping for and the Middies had made a statement to everyone that they are a genuine rugby team representing the Mid North Coast.

“There were 21 women rugby players, who had done themselves, their team, their family, friends and supporters and the Mid North Coast so so proud,” added Steve.

Women’s Rugby on the Mid North Coast has taken off since the 2016 Rio Olympics where the Wallaroos won gold, with many girls coming from such sports as League Tag, Soccer and Touch Football.

The Mid North Coast Women’s 15’s team is made up from players from Forster to Coffs Harbour and all meet at Wauchope to train. They have a mixture of experience and skill level but are all growing as a team.

With the introduction of 7’s to the Country Championships in April at Port Macquarie, the Women’s Team hope to showcase their skills again at this event also.

They still need more players, so if anyone is interested in coming along to learn the game of rugby and help this representative team, please contact Steve Lee on 0425 211 039 or simply turn up to Blackbutt Oval Peppermint Crecent, Wauchope on Sundays from 3pm – 6pm.

Experienced and non-experienced players are welcome, however they must be 17 years of age, by March 2017.

Wauchope Thunder will also be fielding a Women’s Team to compete in the upcoming 7’s competition.

If you are interested please contact Naomi George on 0437 400 290 or come to training and try it out on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Andrew Park on Cameron Street in Wauchope.