On Thursday, Year 11 and 12 Rugby League girls from Ipswich State High participated in a collaborative event by Iron Traks, Women's Sport Academy, and the Ipswich State High women's rugby league team at Fit Education Chelmer.
The focus was on building confidence, leadership, and teamwork skills within the teams in preparation for upcoming Rugby competitions and a focus on providing pathways for the young women.
Iron Traks Co-Founder, former NRLW legend and Dunghutti woman, Tracey Thompson has been running these events for a number of years and continues to inspire young women every day.
"Today was about team bonding and building," she said.
"We reached out to the Australian Defence Force, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services to come down and offer that support for these girls, to empower them and lift them up.
"We just want to build and put the girls in a space where they can achieve what they want."
The day commenced with a military-style rope session led by Flying Officer Jamal Galam from RAAF Base Amberley, emphasising the development of genuine relationships built on trust.
Activities led by Maria Graf, East Tigers player and Brazil league captain, promoted healthy competition among small groups, enhancing skills crucial for both the footy field and life.
Indigenous girls representing the Brian Kerle Basketball Academy were also present at the event.
The presence of NRLW Titans coach Karyn Murphy and her development team added value, offering advice on excelling in various aspects.
Alex Nicholson takes the reigns as the head of the Ipswich Girls rugby Leage Excellence Program at Ipswich State High.
"We're out here today.. running the girls through a few exercises to help build resilience and teamwork," he said.
"This is something we want to build accross the board in our pre-season to help prepare them for games."
The tailored activities aimed at boosting morale, motivation, and communication, fostering creativity among the girls.
Problem-solving challenges and physical activities were not only beneficial for mental health but also translated to improvements on the footy field.
Team games reinforced individual responsibilities, showcasing their impact during matches.
The event garnered support from the ADF Indigenous recruitment team, QFES, SES, and other attendees, showcasing a unified effort to empower and encourage the Year 11 and 12 Rugby League girls.
One student, Paulie, enjoyed the intense training session despite the tough activities and heat.
"Today was fun but a challenge," she said.
"It was good to be out there working with the girls and getting our mindset right."
