By JARROD POTTER
THE Victorian Eagles Women’s Gridiron team is set to shine with Berwick Diamonds running-back Larnie Gubatanga selected for the maiden squad.
Gubatanga, 23, from Narre Warren North, was shocked to read her name on the Eagles’ recently released squad list as she only went to the try-outs to improve her game and keep up her skills with the season just completed.
“I wasn’t really expecting it,” Gubatanga said.
“I personally went there just to train in game experience and learn from a few of the coaches and pick up skills and techniques as my season has just ended.
“It was like extra-training so I wasn’t really going there to gain a spot on the squad, but I did.
“I feel privileged to be playing with the most talented players across Victoria.”
Gubatanga has been a pivotal part of the Endeavour Hills-based Berwick Diamonds women’s gridiron side for the past three seasons since the team started in 2014.
It all began with a local news article as Gubatanga got her sister Erin and friends to get along and try out the area’s latest sport.
“There was an article in the local newspaper saying the Berwick Miners have officially started a women’s team and seeing if anyone was interested in joining, so I asked my sister and a few of my friends if they were keen on giving it a go,” Gubatanga said.
“So we went down to the first training and my sister and I have been part of it ever since.”
With her selection in last year’s Fire and Ice representative clash, Gubatanga was well in the mix for this year’s state team.
But the individual accolades aren’t as important as team-work and making mates across the state with gridiron shaping her life in the best possible way throughout her short time in the sport.
“I think it’s a totally different sport and it’s one thing that pushes me to do better,” Gubatanga said.
“In the past I’ve just played tennis and in this sport it motivates me to want to do better as it’s a team effort.
“Everyone relies on each other and everyone needs each other, so you’ve got to do your part for the rest of the play to work.
“But the whole journey itself has been a massive highlight, creating new friendships across the state with other teams and just being able to play, socialise and have fun.”
The united Victorian side won’t let the ACT Monarchs take the inaugural state clash without a fight, as Gubatanga believes the Eagles are strong enough to run over the hosts on Saturday 21 May in Canberra.
“We have a really strong squad – I’m happy with who has been selected and the coaching staff is great,” Gubatanga said.
“We all have the same goal, so it’s much easier when everyone is working towards the same goal – we want to win the first state match.”
