RugbyWA’s Junior Girls have returned from a busy two days of rugby in New South Wales last weekend.
Coming up against some of the best junior girls from New South Wales, the WA Junior Girls held their own against some formidable opponents. Both sides came up against the state U16 & U18s teams on Saturday, with the U16s losing by just one try to the New South Wales side (19-25).
The U18s saw an excellent comeback on the Sunday against the NSW Presidents XV following a 39-0 defeat to the state side, opening the scoring with a penalty try, but ultimately coming off second best with a 17-7 score. The U16s held strong against the U16s Presidents XV, only losing by one point to cap off their excellent tour performance (15-14).
The incredible performances by the girls against one of the strongest sides wasn’t the only highlight for coaches Tamati Young and Jhy Legg, however. It was seeing the talent and growth of the girls that stood out to both, and the opportunity they had been given.
“Tours are full of stories, memories, and moments that stick with you,” U16 Head Coach, Young said, “but if I were to pick one [highlight], it would be the shift in mindset after our first game. It was like a spark had been lit.”
“The girls realised they belong at this level, that they have what it takes to match it with the bigger states in the country... You could see the confidence in their eyes, the way they started to trust themselves and each other even more.”
It was the moment the U16s went down by just one try, Young said, that was more than rugby.
“It showed the girls that they’re capable of more than they might have believed, and that when they play with heart, courage, and love for their teammates, they can stand tall against anyone. That’s what makes a tour like this so special, it’s the growth you see within the team and within each player.”
For Legg, it was his first opportunity to coach in a High Performance environment, where he operated as a Development Coach for the U18s. The whole experience was a highlight, he shared, one that he enjoyed every second of.
“I got to see firsthand how talented this group of girls are, and I guarantee some of them will be knocking on the SuperW door in next couple of years.”
“I’ve learnt a lot about myself, if I’m being honest, especially around my approach in my messaging. I think I’ve really grown as a coach and I’m really happy with my development throughout the short period of time with the girls.”
For Young, he’s learnt from the tour how important care is from the support system around the players.
“One lesson I’ve come to understand on a deeper level is the saying: ‘Players don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.’”
“We’re fortunate in WA to have an incredible base of people who love and support our athletes. The level of care shown by our support staff; coaches, managers, physios, and S&C was truly elite. But it goes beyond that. It’s about the little things: the words of encouragement, the shoulder to lean on after a tough moment, and the genuine belief we show in the players as people, not just athletes.”
“When the girls feel that care, it creates trust. It helps them grow, take risks, and give their best for each other. This tour has reinforced that coaching isn’t just about strategy or skills; it’s about showing up for them, building connections, and creating an environment where they know they are valued and supported. When you have a strong team of people around you, it becomes easier to do your job well and the results take care of themselves.”
Despite being a short campaign, both coaches shared that the girls grew in their capabilities as players, and displayed their strength despite adversity. Injuries, fatigue and self-doubt didn’t stop the athletes from giving their all to the game, and striving for excellence.
“It was awesome to see how much growth the girls had in this short campaign,” Legg said, “it was truly unbelievable.”
Legg cited the forwards of the U18 squad in their progress, and how impressed he was.
“I challenged the girls' week-in, week-out, and I was really happy with our development in the set piece component.”
“I think it was important for the girl's development as a rugby players and as people too,” Legg commented, on why the tour was important for the girls. “Giving them the opportunity to travel as a team showcased to the girls another aspect that rugby has to offer in the future, which can help develop the desire to play professionally.”
“This also gave them a chance to play 15s at a high level and showcase what they have to offer, and I think they turned a lot of heads.”
For Young, it was the challenges they faced throughout the competition which showed their growth.
“These challenges pushed them to dig deep, adapt under pressure, and show their true resilience.”
“What stood out most was their ability to overcome. Whether it was fighting through setbacks, getting back on the field after adversity, or supporting each other through tough moments, they showed courage, determination, and care for one another.”
“This tour also offered opportunities for growth. The struggles they faced planted seeds that will grow over time—lessons in perseverance, teamwork, and trust. Even when things didn’t go our way, their ability to stay connected and keep pushing forward showed their strength, both as players and as people.”
“The fire in their bellies from these experiences will drive them to improve, and the love and trust they’ve built within the team will stay with them long after this tour.”
The Junior Girls tour marked an important step in the development of youth pathways, and of the future of the women’s game throughout the country. For Young, the tour was also about so much more than just playing games – it was the chance to learn, to invest and become the best versions of themselves.
"The chance to represent themselves, their families, and their state in a team like this is something truly special.”
“What we want to build in these girls is not just the core rugby skills to take them further—whether to the Western Force, Wallaroos, or wherever their journeys may lead—but also the confidence, belief, and resilience that will serve them on and off the field.”
“These games against strong opposition are vital. They show us where we are now, where we need to be, and what’s possible if we keep striving. But more importantly, they help the girls discover more about themselves: their courage in tough moments, their love for their teammates, and their ability to overcome challenges together.”
“Every step of this journey matters—whether it’s planting the seeds of big dreams or simply growing in the love of the game. The lessons they take from this experience will shape not just their rugby futures but who they are as people.”
The Junior Girls tour displayed the immense depth of talent present within RugbyWA’s Girls & Women’s competition, with some of the best junior performers being selected to take to the field. Despite not taking home the win, the girls can be incredibly proud of their representation of the state, and of their growth in skills and capability throughout their campaign.
Congratulations to all players, coaches and support staff involved in the program for their involvement in the tour.
NSW Junior Girls Tour Results
Game 1
- U16 RugbyWA v. U16 NSW Warratahs - 19-24
- U18 RugbyWA v. U18 NSW Warratahs - 0-39
Game 2
- U16 RugbyWA v. U16 NSW Presidents XV – 14-15
- U18 RugbyWA v. U18 NSW Presidents XV - 7-17
