Rugby: Cooper dons state colours

EXCITING TIMES AHEAD: Mount Gambier rugby league player Adele Cooper is preparing to head to Sydney to represent South Australia in a state-affiliated rugby league competition at Easter.

MOUNT Gambier rugby league player Adele Cooper is gearing up for the 2018 state competition where she will represent South Australia in a tournament in Sydney.

Cooper will head to the harbour city on the Easter long weekend for her second year of representative duties, facing other state sides in a tough competition.

“This is the second time I have been selected and last year I loved it,” she said.

“I was heaps excited when I got picked again this year.

“Last year was in Adelaide so it is a bit more exciting this year going to Sydney.

“I’ve never been to Sydney before so it should be fun.”

It is also Cooper’s third year in the sport, after previously playing soccer and basketball, along with touch football and Australian Rules here in the Limestone Coast,.

Two of her soccer teammates suggested she try the sport when the women’s competition came to fruition in Mount Gambier and she has taken to the game with gusto.

“Kiowa (Goodman) and her daughter, we played soccer together,” Cooper said.

“They said they were putting a rugby league team together and asked me to play, so I thought I would give it a go.”

Cooper said the extra contact involved in rugby league did not bother her.

“I don’t mind it, I actually enjoy it,” she said.

“I always wanted to play rugby but they never had a team.

“Once they had a team I played for two years but last year we didn’t have a girls team.”

Without regular competition, Cooper has to be creative to keep her fitness levels up for state duties, utilising the options available here to her advantage, including Blue Lake Knights president Brenton Hodge.

“I play a lot of touch footy,which is similar to rugby league,” she said.

“I am also training three days in the gym and two on the field.

“I work with Brenton Hodge on the plays and our state assistant coach came down this week.

“I went out and trained with the boys and I go to Naracoorte this weekend for another training session.

“I also play footy for Glencoe so that helps with contact and tackling practice.”

Cooper said she was yet to head to Adelaide for full training with the state side, but she knows some of the girls from last year’s team.

The squad will join up on March 11 for a full session prior to heading off to Sydney at Easter.

“We are all learning the same stuff in our own areas, but it is hard not training together,” she said.

“Last year I travelled to Adelaide every second week.

“Olympic Dam came down and played a match last year at Naracoorte, so I jumped in there with them and that went well.”

While last year’s state competition was an eye-opener for Cooper, she said she was looking forward to the chance to play in Sydney.

“I have never represented the state at anything before rugby league,” she said.

“I was pretty nervous last year but it was pretty exciting.

“I’m looking forward to this year.”

Cooper is seeking sponsorship to help offset the cost involved with the trip.

Anyone interested in helping can contact her on 0429 552 419.