A local young sportswoman is successfully fulfilling her dream as a women’s rugby league player.

Twenty-year-old Ashanti Pennell from Baradine is forging her way up the rugby league ladder after making her debut with the Rabbitohs on Friday, 13 September.

“Playing with the Rabbitohs was an incredible experience,” Ashanti said.

“I was a bit nervous stepping onto the field for the first time as I was selected as their starting number 9. However, this is what I have been working so hard to achieve.

“The support from my family, friends, team mates and everyone back home made it even more memorable. It was a challenging and an intense game, but it felt great to finally get to play.”

Ashanti started playing rugby aged 13 and as a member of the Far West Academy of Sport Development Squad, she played with the under 17’s girls rugby league team.

This was followed by selection for the NSW Country Rugby under 18’s teamandtheNSWAllSchool Girls Rugby 7’s squad. Last year, she was selected to play for the West Tigers Tarsha Gale rugby-league team.

“After finishing playing number 6 for West Tigers Tarsha Gale team, I went on to play for the Narellan Opens Women’s team in the Macarthur Opens Women’s competition,” Ashanti added.

“Unfortunately, we were defeated in the grand final, but I was grateful to be awarded the club’s best and fairest player at the Narellan Women’s presentation.

“The Rabbitohs had an invitation trial at the end of last year and I was given the opportunity to trial, where I gained selection into the squad. My preferred position is 6, but I am happy to play anywhere on the field and be part of the team.”

Ashanti said she was happy with her achievements and considered her debut with the Rabbitohs a significant milestone in her football journey.

“It has taken a lot of hard work, commitment and dedication that led to this point, and I will never forget it,” she said.

“However, there is a long road ahead and I am excited for new opportunities and look forward to what the future brings.

“I just want to say how grateful I am and thank everyone for their continued support.

“I look forward to playing in the Western Women’s Competition with Castlereagh over the next few months. In the meantime, I am continuing with my studies, staying committed, training hard, playing women’s rugby league and will hopefully gain some trials and pick up another contract in the coming season.

“My dream and goal is still to play in the National Rugby League Women’s competition.”