Looking to the future is vital for anyone involved in sport. While, it may be pushed to the back of your mind while you give your all at training and prepare for matches, the thought is always there. What happens when it ends and who am I without my sporting identity?
For Page McGregor, a member of the successful Bulldogs Tarsha Gale Cup side this season, there are no millions in the bank or companies clamouring for sponsorship. The Bulldogs were able to form a Tarsha Gale Cup side this season after realising that the demand for a girls side was out there. Rugby League is thriving amongst the female population and the Bulldogs were desperate to provide opportunities for girls to play and represent the Blue and White.
Much work went into sourcing sponsorship and the girls responded with a superb season where they made the Grand Final, only to go down in the final to Penrith in a thrilling match at Leichhardt Oval. Page was a major reason for the success of the side, but also saw the importance of looking to find the right qualification that would help shape a career.
In many cases an athlete has to sift through the things that don’t suit them, before they find the thing that does.
Page, was able to do this quickly, linking up with the Cabramatta Leagues Club to take up a Greenskeeping Apprenticeship, which will involve looking after the football and sporting facilities around the club. It is something that has proved to be an enjoyable challenge: “I have always been interested in doing something like Greenskeeping” said Page, “It’s very rewarding working outdoors and getting to see the results of your work at the end.”
The young 18 year-old has impressed everyone with her skills this season. Known for her great step, Page, was the top try scorer for the Bulldogs this year and picked up the Tarsha Gale Cup Player of the Year award at the club Presentation Night that was attended by men’s stars, Marcelo Montoya and Adam Elliott. This form has helped lead to selection in the Australian Junior Rugby 7’s team that will compete in the upcoming Commonwealth Youth Games, to be held in the Bahamas this month. Page was excited to be representing her country: “I’m really looking forward to going away and representing my country with such a great bunch of girls and I’m hoping we can bring home the gold medal.”
Join us at Royal Randwick!
So can she reach the same heights as a Greenkeeper? Cabramatta Leagues Club Supervisor Ian Morris thinks so: “Page is working out really well in her new role. She has a really positive outlook about her and she’s as keen as mustard!”
Sounds like she has a knack for getting the best out of herself.
