Abby Jordan, Anna Niulia, Evie Perry, Atereana Kahukuea and Jordyn McFadden have all been selected to represent the Canberra Raiders as part of the Lisa Fiola Cup. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Five of Wagga’s best and emerging rugby league players have been selected to represent the Canberra Raiders in the Lisa Fiola Cup, an U17s development competition for emerging players.
Wagga girls Evie Perry, Atereana Kahukura, Jordyn McFadden, Anna Niuila and Abby Jordan will represent the Canberra Raiders in a nine-round competition, with finals, against other NSW Rugby League teams.
One hundred and sixty-five girls tried out for the team, with 40 players picked.
The team was then trimmed down to a squad of 25, with 17 players and an injury substitute named to play round 1 in Canberra this weekend against the St George Dragons.
Evie, who played in the Lisa Fiola Cup in 2025, was excited by having four other Wagga girls selected.
“Having friends in sport is really important, and having the other girls selected to play is incredible,” she said.
“It’s such a great learning experience, especially playing against other girls from other cities.”
The girls’ selection is the latest example of a growing relationship between Wagga Wagga and the Canberra Raiders.
In past years, both the women’s and men’s teams have played home and away season games in Wagga, with the city now set to host the NRLW Magic Round in August.
Jordyn said the growing presence of women’s rugby league in Wagga had meant the city and female players were getting greater opportunities to enter pathways to play NRLW.
“Seeing the girls in NRLW play in Wagga is huge,” she said.
“It shows that there is a chance for us to play professional sport, where we probably couldn’t have a few years ago.
“Getting the opportunity to play with four other Wagga girls, three of them who play with the Wagga Kangaroos with me, is really exciting.”
Atereana Kahukura is the only one of the five who plays for the Magpies.
Atereana said the competition was a realistic way to get her name in front of scouts and selectors, as she hoped to play NRLW as a full-time career.
“There are a few Riverina girls playing in the NRLW now,” she said.
“We all aspire to be like them and playing in Canberra on the weekend, that gives us all the best chance to grow and to learn and to potentially play NRLW in the future.”
The group of five are set to play their first game as Raiders today (7 February).
