Three North Newcastle women have been named in Australia’s 24 player squad for the Women's Rugby League World Cup 2017.
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Isabelle Kelly, Caitlin Moran and Bec Young will be representing the Newcastle region through their selection for the Jillaroos as the women’s tournament kicks off alongside the men’s competition.
All three of the Novocastrian players have experienced the limelight that comes with wearing the green-and-gold: Moran and Kelly attended the Auckland Nines in February, while all three played together in a 16-4 victory over New Zealand in a test match in May.
Young will also be lining up for her second World Cup, after having made the trip to England in 2013 that saw the Jillaroos earn a breakthrough title and champion status.
Pool matches and semi-finals will be played at the Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney before the final will be played in Brisbane as part of a double-header fixture alongside the men’s final on December 2.
The competition, run as a stand-alone event for the first time in its history, will see Australia, Canada, Cook Island, England, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea vying for international glory.
The Jilaroos squad is expected to travel to the Gold Coast next week to begin preparations at a team camp, before their first match on Thursday, November 16.
Their first world cup pool match against Cook Island will be part of the curtain-raising triple-header that will also see New Zealand against Canada and England against Papua New Guinea.
Jillaroos Squad: Kezie Apps; Chelsea Baker; Heather Ballinger; Annette Brander; Brittany Breayley; Sam Bremner; Ali Brigginshaw; Karina Brown; Nakia Davis-Welsh; Vanessa Foliaki; Steph Hancock; Isabelle Kelly; Renae Kunst; Corban McGregor; Caitlin Moran; Lavina O’Mealey; Talesha Quinn; Ruan Sims; Maddie Studdon; Zahara Temara; Simaima Taufa; Elianna Walton; Meg Ward; Rebecca Young.