Three rugby players with links to the western area, pulled on their boots last weekend to train for a place in the NSW Waratah’s Women’s Super Rugby team.

Arabella McKenzie, who grew-up in Lightning Ridge and is a current Wallaroo; Jacinta Windsor from Bathurst who learned her skills with the local Bulldogs while studying at MacKillop College; and half-back, Martha Harvey from Narrabri with deep roots in Central West and Western Plains Rugby.

All three have had an interesting footballing journey.

Arabella has been outstanding in recent years, but is not the only Lightning Ridge product. She was actually in the same class as Archer Holz (Super Rugby), and his younger brother in the Academy squad, are also from the mining town.

“We didn’t have a rugby team at school, so I played league with Archer and the boys before going away to boarding school,” Arabella said.

Jacinta is a strong centre or outside back who is in her second season with the squad and is hoping to be the next Bathurst Bulldog to make the State team.

Marty Roebuck was a World Cup winning back from St Stanislaus College, and Jakiya Whitfield was a year above Jacinta at school before going on to represent Australia in Sevens and the 15s squad. She is now an Australian Jillaroo (League) star.

The third player is actually from Narrabri, but Martha Harvey’s background sees her rightly claimed as “a westie”. Her Dad, Dennis was at St Johns and Dubbo High, and her brothers played with the Roos while Mum, Carmel, is a former teacher at St John’s Primary School. Before marriage, she was an O’Connor from Coonamble, but the clan spread from Collie and is well-known in a number of sporting circles.

Martha is also in her second year, this time on contract, after answering an invitation to trial last season. The red-haired half is a bundle of energy who hopes to push her way into the final Super 15 Squad in the next few months.

Martha likes the vocal leadership role that is essential to playing beside the scrum.

“I’m like the sheepdogs on our farm, barking at the forwards to do my tackling for me,” Martha laughed.

“We are all very grateful for the opportunities we have been given,” she added.

The pathways are clear now for Country-based players with Dubbo hosting an Academy and pockets of coaches in Western Plains and Central West towns.

“It helps when you have locals supporting you all the way.

“Jacinta often talks about Country captains, Mel and Matt Waterford, and Dean Oxley at the Bulldogs, who have nurtured her and I just thank the Narrabri Blue Boars and my family for their encouragement,” she said.

By the way, Martha’s brother, Sid, is also in the Tah’s squad competing for a place in the First 15 against Jack Grant from Orange City. Ned Hannigan from Coonamble, is another of our western products vying for the sky blue and green and gold jerseys this year.