Walk into the UQ Boilerhouse and Alex Robertson will give you a smile and professional demeanour. But meet her on the footy field and you are in for a different treatment.
The Ipswich campus UQ Boilerhouse administration officer may seem tame in the office but her rugby league ability has landed her in the women’s State of Origin side, which will play in New South Wales later this year.
Ms Robertson gave up hockey to play rugby league only two years ago and quickly realised she had a talent for the game.
“The Queensland team was named following the National Titles and I wasn’t really expecting to hear my name so wasn’t really paying much attention,” she said.
“When I heard my name listed as one of the shadows (reserves) I was utterly shocked because I thought it wasn’t something I would achieve this year.”
Ms Robertson has since progressed from being a reserve player to being on the actual side for the team that will compete in the women’s State of Origin competition.
While the competition between the Queensland and New South Wales state women’s teams is not as well known as its three-game counterpart for male players, it will still be played as a curtain-raiser match for an NRL game in Penrith on August 13.
Ms Robertson said female rugby league matches could be just as enthralling as the men’s games.
“Some of the other girls I play with and against are very tough and an inspiration to me,” she said.
“They are just as passionate and competitive as the men and are just as exciting to watch.
“Many people, particularly men, who are watching a game of women’s league for the first time, are impressed at the level our game is played at.”
Ms Robertson said her fellow staff members at the UQ Boilerhouse had been encouraging of her sport.
The trip to compete in New South Wales costs $1000 per player. Ms Robertson said her trip would be partially funded by Ipswich drug-free health business Doing Gr8 and the team was looking for other sponsors.
Media: Ms Robertson (07 3381 1532/ 0422 588 969) or Tegan Taylor at UQ Communications (07 3365 2339)
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