EIGHT Minnamurra Public School students had the thrill of their lives when they played rugby league in front of around 17,000 screaming fans at WIN Stadium.
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The eight girls rewarded the crowd with a stunning display of rugby league skill to completely outclass their Thirroul opposition seven tries to one.
"The girls, despite their seemingly calm exterior, were very nervous playing in front of such a huge crowd and did the school proud," Minnamurra Public School sports co-ordinator Amber McGrath said.
"We are lucky that this type of competition is played under modified rules - we only had to have seven girls and we had eight, which worked out well."
The girls took part in the South Coast PSSA Paul McGregor Shield recently and beat Shellharbour Public School in the final to qualify to represent "southern" against "northern" winners Thirroul.
The school received great support from local National Rugby League development officers (DO) Jono Dallas and Jacob Robinson in their bid to become south coast champions.
"The DOs were very supportive, with Jacob coming out to the school to give the girls some tips on tackling, while Jono turned up on the night at WIN to lend his support," Mrs McGrath said.
Reliving the experience, the girls were over the moon about their win.
"Oh my god, how many people were there watching," Taylor-Lee Byrne said of the massive crowd.
"And it was great that after the game, we were leaving the field and people were clapping and saying 'well done Minnamurra'."
Her teammate Georgia Deen was equally enthusiastic and little more direct.
"None of that matters - the main thing is we smashed Thirroul," she said.
"The girl's tackle competition is part of an overall push by the NRL to make rugby league available in all areas and we are looking at maybe holding a 'Summer 7s' competition for under-14s," Dallas said.