Girls take centre stage at Sam Bremner Shield gala day

Named in honour of the St George Illawarra women’s captain, Sam Bremner, the ninth edition of the competition was the biggest, with a record 45 teams representing 22 schools from Corrimal to Ulladulla. 

And it was the girls from Ulladulla who claimed top billing, with Ulladulla High School winning the under 16s and opens competitions. 

The opens team produced some of the most impressive performances of the day, while the under 16s boasted some talented individuals.

Warilla’s under 14s were also able to go all the way, taking out the under 14 final. Corrimal’s St Columbkilles primary school won the under 12s competition. 

Speaking at the event, Bremner said she takes pride in seeing so many girls running around at a gala day named in her honour. 

“When I was younger, I wasn’t really aware of any girls that played rugby league, so I didn’t really have anyone to grow up to be like when it came to girls rugby league,” Bremner said.

“That’s a responsibility that I don’t take lightly, I like being a good role model and if I can have an influence on a positive pathway for these girls on and off the field, that’s something I take great pride in and will put a lot of energy in doing.”

While proud to have the competition named after her, to Bremner, one of the driving forces in growing women’s rugby league in the Illawarra, the most pleasing aspect of the growth in women’s rugby league is that girls now have a clear pathway to playing the sport at the highest level. 

“I didn’t have this opportunity when I was a young girl and to see so many girls playing rugby league, it brings me a lot of happiness because I know how much rugby league’s done for my life.

“To watch this and to find out girls are going to have the same opportunities that I have, it’s going to make them so happy. I always play for the enjoyment of it and that’s what it is today, it’s a showcase of the enjoyment of the game.”