Soldier Jillaroo – Private Quinn represents Australia in two uniforms

Private Talesha Quinn from the Army’s 6th Combat Support Brigade has been selected for the Australian Women’s National Rugby League team – the Australian Jillaroos.

CAPTION: Private Talesha Quinn, 6th Combat Support Brigade – and Rugby League World Cup Jillaroo.

The team is about to enter their training camp in the lead up to this year’s Women’s Rugby League World Cup, with their first match, against the Cook Islands at 4pm on Thursday 16 November, in Cronulla .

On 11 November Private Quinn will relocate with the Jillaroos to Wollongong where she will continue to train until the finals in Brisbane on 2 December.

“This is a massive achievement and an absolute honour,” Private Quinn said.

17 girls will be chosen per game from the full squad over the three round games leading up to the semi and grand finals.

The round games will be held on the 16th, 19th and 22nd of November at Southern Cross Group Stadium (aka ‘Shark Park’) in Cronulla, Sydney, a stadium that Private Quinn considers her home ground.

Keen to promote women in sport and the healthy lifestyle choices that support and sustain all athletes, Private Quinn is a great spokesperson, but admits there are some limitations for women in sports with role models difficult to find.

“I am possibly an exception as I have been so fortunate to be surrounded by some exceptional players, coaches and managers who are supporting me and fostering success,” she said.

“It truly reinforces how much this is about the team.

“Women’s Rugby League has come a long way in the past few years with greater coverage and an increase in exposure in mainstream media.

“This year we have a first with live streaming on Seven throughout the World Cup event.

“The future looks bright for girls playing in Under 12s, 14s and 16s.

“By the time they come through the game will hopefully be even stronger and fully professional and with any luck wages equivalent to the male league stars.

“We need to foster this support and at the same time acknowledge those who are putting in the hard yards on the sidelines also.

“One of those sideline players is the Australian Defence Force.

“Army, in particular 6th Brigade, have supported me along the way to achieve not only my workplace goals but also my sporting goals,” Private Quinn said.

President of ADF Rugby League Air Commodore Ken Quinn said the ADF was extremely proud that three members in total were selected to represent Australia – Aircraftwoman Meg Ward from the RAAF and Army’s Corporal Lucy Lockhart selected as a reserve.

“The World Cup will provide Talesha, Meg and Lucy with an opportunity to represent the ADF at an elite international competition,” Air Commodore Quinn said.

“Sport is a large part of ADF life and it is great to see some of our best on the world stage.”

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