Giants unearth future star at Police State Carnival

Fullback Kiara White could find herself playing in the Harvey Norman Women’s NSW Premiership after her eye-catching performance for the Bankstown Giants at the NSW Police Rugby League (NSWPRL) State Carnival in Tamworth last week.

White was named ‘Player of the Match’ after the Giants beat Country South Steelers 12-0 in the women’s Grand Final. It was an historic win for the Bankstown side as this year was the first time a women’s competition has been held at the Police State Carnival.

White was one of the stars unearthed from the five women’s teams playing. All are serving NSW Police officers and they represent the region where their station is based.

“Look Kiara is a fantastic sportswoman - very athletic build who played a little AFL – but she’s new to Rugby League this year,” Vice-President of the NSWPRL Rod Shearton said.

“Since she started playing, she’s caught the eye of a couple of Sydney clubs to perhaps go and play for them. Whoever signs her is getting a fantastic talent.”

The Bankstown Giants certainly left their mark at Tamworth’s Scully Park over the five-day competition.

“They didn’t concede a try the whole tournament which just goes to show how good they were,” Sheraton said.

“The Country South team they beat are a pretty decent outfit, so it was not a lucky first win by any stretch.”

The men’s competition had eight teams with the final producing an upset 8-6 win for the Macarthur Bulls over defending champions, Eastern Suburbs Wombats.

“Not many people expected that result but it’s a good thing for our competition to see a team come through and win against the odds,” Sheraton said.

Bulls No.9 Nathan Calman was the standout and deservedly named ‘Player of the Match’.

“He’s only new to the Police Force since graduating from St Gregory’s in Campbelltown,” Sheraton said.

“He’s a hooker and he just had a great game in the Grand Final – kicked a couple of vital goals and was busy in defence.

“He also had a couple of line breaks making some long-range runs down field that took the pressure off Macarthur’s line. He was everywhere.”

List of finals results/awards:

Women’s Championship: Bankstown Giants 12 def Country South Steelers 0

Player of the Match: Kiara White (Bankstown Giants)

Player of the State Carnival: Marita Shoulders (Country South)

Men’s Championship: Macarthur Bulls 8 def Eastern Suburbs Wombats 6

Player of the Match: Nathan Calman (Macarthur Bulls)

Player of the State Carnival: Hayden Ashcroft (Eastern Suburbs)

Player of the men’s finals series: Rhys Neal (Macarthur Bulls)