Hard-working local volunteer, Poi Birtles has recently been awarded a National Rugby League (NRL) Women in League Award, for her extensive contribution to local sport.

The award recognises Poi’s dedication to rugby league locally, as well as her encouragement of female participation in rugby league.

Poi was one of over 70 nominees, which were then narrowed down to 20.

Poi was ultimately selected as the winner by NRL commissioners, and deservedly so when you read the long list of roles she has undertaken in the community.

Poi coaches the under 10’s boys, the under 14’s group 14 representative side, as well as the under 15’s Far West Academy of Sport (FWAS) rugby league girls’ side.

Poi said she mentors a lot of girls in the region who were striving to achieve pathways in women’s rugby league.

“I also run the development program under Coonabarabran Junior Rugby League Club, so it’s pretty busy.”

Beyond her coaching roles, Poi has acted as strapper for Coonabarabran reserve grade and first grade men’s teams and is also a qualified massage therapist!

Poi also works with the Penrith Panthers and their junior pathway program to implement at a local level.

“Hopefully, when they do have that understanding of the program, whether it’s tackling or ball-carrying and mental health, they take that away, so they don’t have that disconnection,” Poi said.

 

Opportunity

 

On top of her sporting commitments, Poi works as a Student Learning Support Officer (SLSO) at Coonabarabran High School, and humbly gave thanks to the school for giving her the opportunity to take on these roles.

“It’s all a credit to Coonabarabran High School for allowing me to have these opportunities and to be able to do these things for the community.”

Poi also extended her thanks to local sporting clubs.

“A big thank you to the Coonabarabran junior and senior rugby league clubs for allowing me to be in this space and to be able to do the things that I’m doing.”

Poi said she was completely surprised when she found out she had won the award and had no idea that her husband, Tyson, and

Shannon Mathews, Tim Evans, Mary Doolan and Duncan Graham had nominated her.

“I didn’t even know I was nominated for it or that it was happening, I just thought the NRL education and wellbeing were coming here for State of Minds, which is a program they run for country and city regions,” she said.

“I don’t do anything for recognition, but I love my staff members and managers for allowing me to be recognised and do what I do on a daily basis.”

When Poi and her family moved to Coonabarabran three and a half years ago, she found that many young people in the community were “too shy”, or “too shame” to have a go.

“One of my biggest motivators has always been to turn the ‘I can’t’ into ‘I can’ and I stick by that.”

Tyranny of distance

 

With travel being one of the biggest factors challenging aspiring young footy players, Poi said it was important not to give it up.

“We have a small community, everyone helps each other with car pools.

“It’s important to take advantage of those, take those car trips and just help each other out because it is worth it.”

One of the reasons Poi is so committed to engaging young people in sport is because of the many benefits it brings, both mentally and physically.

“It’s healthy for their brains to get out into sunlight and into nature and exercise, rather than being on their devices,” she said.

“I’ve also found working with some of these girls that getting them out there and utilising the oval has helped them so much, even including life skills like communicating with other people and communicating with adults.”

Poi said another great thing about rugby league is the social aspect, meeting new people along the way and getting to know people from other towns that you might not have otherwise met.

“It’s good for you, good for your soul, and it’s pretty awesome all the avenues it takes you down.

“It’s a pretty good space to be in with rugby league.

“That’s what I want for our children – to try new things, be a part of the sports academy, get your name out there, and know that nothing is impossible when you’ve got these opportunities here for you.”

President of the Junior Rugby League Football Club, Tim Evans said he couldn’t think of someone more deserving to receive this award.

“Poi’s just excellent. She’s been great as a coach, as a mentor for the kids and she’s an enthusiastic committee member,” Mr Evans said.

“She even gives up her time when her children aren’t involved in the team, which is a big thing for the sport.

“She puts so much of her time into making them the best they can be, that’s her motto, so she is a very deserving winner of the award.”