Bella Cruickshank relishing a new challenge with the Greater Northern Tigers

Bella Cruickshank lined up for the Greater Northern Tigers in round one of NSW Rugby League’s 2024 Women’s Country Championships last month and the Wee Waa girl is looking right at home in the number nine jersey ahead of a huge clash in Tamworth tomorrow.

The 20-year-old has been a part of the premiership-winning Narrabri Rugby Club women’s team that has qualified for the past two Central North Rugby Union grand finals, and she has also dominated in the touch footy arena for many years, but she had never played rugby league until late last year when she opted to trial for the Greater Northern representative team.

That decision was inspired by her father, David Cruickshank, who Bella grew up watching represent their hometown team, the Wee Waa Panthers.

After being picked in the extended development squad following a trial in Werris Creek back in December and then showing great dedication to travel to Tamworth for training sessions each weekend in January, Cruickshank was named in the Tigers’ senior women’s team that contested a trial match in Cessnock early last month. She was then selected as the starting hooker in the side that beat Northern Rivers Titans 14-6 in round one of the Country Championships in Grafton on Saturday, February 24.

It was an experience that she truly relished, and she is now hungry for the opportunity to get back out on the field again tomorrow as Greater Northern Tigers host the North Coast Bulldogs at Tamworth’s Scully Park.

“At the start, we were asked to write down two preferences for positions, and I put down hooker and fullback. Hooker suited me more and that’s where the coaches thought I should play too,” she said.

“I’ve loved it. I just love being out on the field anywhere. It took a bit to get used to playing rugby league but I’ve got my eye in now. I can’t wait for our next game.

“The group of girls we have are really good. I pretty much didn’t know any of them at the start and they have beeNarrabri Rugby League, rugby ln so welcoming. They are always there for players like me who haven’t played league before to help you out and boost your confidence along the way.”

The round three match is a crucial one for the Greater Northern Tigers women as there is a grand final spot on the line for them.

There are six teams competing in the Country Championships this year, which have been spread across two pools of three. The winner of each pool will meet in the decider on Saturday, March 23, and the Tigers can top the northern pool with a victory on home soil tomorrow.

Their opponents, the North Coast Bulldogs, took on the Northern Rivers Titans last weekend and scored a 22-0 victory, which saw them move level with the Tigers on two points.

Their showdown in Saturday’s clash at Scully Park will determine which of the two teams tops the table, as will the round three match in the southern pool.

The Western Rams and the Monaro Colts are locked on two points after they both demolished the Riverina Bulls across the opening two rounds. They will meet at Les Boyd Oval in Cootamundra on Sunday to play for a spot in the final against the northern pool winner.

There will be a significant Wee Waa presence at Scully Park tomorrow as a large group of Cruickshank’s family and friends will make the trip to cheer her and her teammates on in the do-or-die clash.