Jenna Rose chosen in Australian First Nation's team
Brad Walter
Congratulations to Thirroul’s Jenna Rose on her selection in the Australian First Nation’s ‘Mariya’ open age women’s team to play New Zealand Maori at the 2019 Trans-Tasman Football Series in Wollongong on January 19 and 20.
The 'Mariya' and Maori women's teams will headline the “Clash of Cultures” festival of football at 3pm Sunday at Crehan Park, Cringilla.
The teams will also play at 1pm Saturday at Albert Butler Memorial Park, Kemblawarra ahead of a clash between 'Mariya' men and Wollongong Wolves at 3pm, which will see former Socceroos team-mates Jade North (Mariya) and Luke Wilkshire (Wolves) pit wits against each as rival coaches. Illawarra Stingrays U14s also play on Saturday against Mariya U14s Girls at 11.30am.
Jenna, who plays for the Thunderbirds Division 1 team, was chosen for Mariya women after her performance for Illawarra Bungarras at the recent National Indigenous Football Championships in Nowra.
Jenna and Thunderbirds team-mate Sarah Hanlon helped Illawarra Bungarras to a third consecutive title after a 4-0 defeat of Yuin Black Cockatoos in the women’s final.
It was the third year Jenna and Sarah have represented Illawarra Bungarras at the tournament, which featured more than than 400 Indigenous players from 40 different teams competing for the crown as the top men’s and women’s Indigenous football teams in the country.
Jenna was one of five Bungarras players chosen in the Australian First Nation’s ‘Mariya’ women’s squad, along with Tenaya Davis, Shakiah Tungai, Robyn Moylan and Alyssa Togo.
Australian First Nation’s ‘Mariya’ womens and mens teams to play New Zealand Maori
Jenna Rose (back, 4th from left) and Sarah Hanlon (back, 5th from left) with the victorious Illawarra Bungarras team.