There has never been a better time to be a female rugby league player and Tess Staines is looking to take advantage of it.
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Fresh off her appearance for the Prime Minister's XIII, Staines has set her eyes on trying to link with a NRLW club for next season.
The Leeton product has had a whirlwind 12 months.
She was part of Riverina's title success in the inaugural Country Championships, which helped elevate her into opens NSW Country side and then played a starring role for NSW in their first under 18s State of Origin side.
The chance to represent her country in Fiji earlier this month was another highlight and the livewire fullback is looking to take her game to the next level in the first season of the women's competition.
"I made the Prime Minister's team unexpectedly so the one step above that would be the Jillaroos and to play for Australia," Staines said.
"Hopefully I can sign somewhere for next year.
"That is the next goal."
Staines was in Wagga on Monday as part of the Girls Get Active program.
Looking to inspire girls to continue, or start, playing sport, the 18-year-old shared her experiences.
Growing up with four older brothers and playing a sport dominated by men, Staines is no stranger with taking on the boys.
However she can see how girls playing against their own sex in the sport will benefit for years to come.
"We are really pushing for it and think the one thing we need to do it is does come in is to bring it in to the younger girl age groups, not just open ladies," she said.
"It is a very big jump going straight into girls who could potentially be nearly double their size.
"That can will very confronting, and it will turn a lot of girls off, so it is important that we are trying to get in younger age groups.
"Even if comps are just for a couple of weeks with a couple of teams to teach those basic skills we think it will be very beneficial for the sport."
Her recent success on the field has opened up plenty of avenues off it.
She sees it as one of the big benefits of sport.
"I can now say I've got friendships all across Australia," Staines said.
"To be able to have that connection, and everywhere you go have someone you can fall back to if you ever need help, is with you forever.
"It's the one bit I really do enjoy about it."
Around 90 Wagga schoolgirls took part learning rugby league, cricket, basketball and Australia rules skills along the way.
Sport NSW programs manager Libby Sadler said the day was about trying to get girls more actively engaged in sport and recreational pursuits in the community.
"The generation of young girls coming through at the moment have an amazing opportunity to be professionals in basically any sport that they want to," Sadler said.
"It's fabulous and it's as important for them to have that opportunity as it is for them to know going for a walk one or two times a week, doing yoga or Pilates, going for a swim and just being active is a great way to be."
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