Four Macleay women have earned selection into the Mid North Coast rugby union representative side to compete at the Country Championships held in Tamworth on June 8 and 9.
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Jess Grant, Shawnee Potts, Ruby Colling and Imeleta Tavete, who all play for the Kempsey Cannonbells, were picked in the side after participating in a trial process which began in February.
All four girls play in the forward pack.
Ruby and Imeleta represented the Tomahawks at the Country Championships last year and are hopeful of taking the next step.
"We want to win the entire tournament," Imeleta told the Argus.
"Last year we reached the semi-finals but with more experience hopefully we can come away with the win.
"There's also the opportunity to earn further selection into the country side so winning the competition would increase our chances of getting picked.
"But I am not too concerned about earning selection into the country side, if I do, then it's just a bonus."
Imeleta, who grew up watching her two brothers play rugby union, began competing for the Cannonbells in their inaugural season last year.
The prop immediately built a passion for playing.
"I grew up around the sport as my two brothers played but there was never an opportunity to play," Imeleta said.
"But the girls entered a side last year and I wanted to be involved.
"I now love playing and it also helps keep a healthy lifestyle."
The Tomahawks competed in three games in 2018 and Imeletea is expecting a similar amount of matches this year.
Jess and Shawnee will make their debuts for the Tomahawks at the Country Championships, but Shawnee has earned representative honours in the other rugby code.
Meanwhle Jess overcame a hand injury to earn selection into her first representative side.
The additional representative pathways in both codes is more proof of the growth of the women in sport.
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