https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys/from-a-fangirl-to-a-teammate-a-hopeful-gold-star-is-rising/news-story/ee95714c956c5b6995d6d77b5aa6062d XANTHE Topping has come a long way from “fangirling” in the presence of Jenni-Sue Hoepper. Four years on from their first encounter, the 19-year-old will share the field with the former Jillaroo as part of the inaugural Cowboys Women’s Academy squad. A spot in the first North Queensland Gold Stars side is up from grabs in the forthcoming QRL women’s competition. But for now, the up and coming lock is simply blessed for the opportunity to press her case for higher honours with her childhood hero close by. “She used to coach us back when I was 15 and I was just fan-girling over her all the time. Now it’s just crazy to be alongside her playing,” Topping said.
“I never thought that (this would happen). I just literally played for the fun of it with my friends. To have this opportunity, I’m so grateful and it’s amazing to have. “It’s just crazy, I think it’s fantastic for all the girls to be here and a part of it. It’s unreal.” Topping was one of 12 Townsville girls to take part in the first Academy ‘satellite squad’ session. The rest of the initial 30 player squad participated in similar sessions in Mackay and Cairns. The women were eased into the swing of things with core skills and conditioning on Thursday afternoon, with more gruelling sessions to come. Cowboys elite pathways coach Ben Jeffries said the backing of the NRL club had given the experience a holistic feel and would enable the program to prosper in the years to come. With such a variety in talent and experience at their disposal he said the platform was there to launch many of these players to higher honours. “There’s females here who have been put in the spotlight – Shaniah Power is one who has gone straight into All Stars,” Jeffries said. “Then you’ve got females like Jenni-Sue and Steph Mooka who have played Origin. Then you have rising talents who I think could play for their state in the next 18 months. “There’s a mixture of diverse talent … and we’re confident in the next three or four seasons these girls will be really good footballers.” The academy’s head coach, Gavin Lloyd, said while an initial 30 had been selected there were still opportunities for other women to break into the Gold Stars set up. “Any girls playing locally within the North Queensland region will be up for selection,” he said. “These girls have been flagged because they’ve been in the system, but anyone playing good football will get an opportunity to come in. “I think it’s an exciting opportunity. The girls are really keen to learn and they listen. It’s something I’m looking forward to doing for the rest of the year.”
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AuthorOne of my main responsibilities was to cover the Blackhawks and Gold Stars and build strong relationships at the club. Archives
May 2020
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