Sele eyes Raggianas

 By DELLYANNE ILAI

The 25-year-old from Ialibu, Southern Highlands, represented the Possibles women’s side against the Probables before the Prime Ministers XIII match on October 12 in Kokopo.

Sele said she found the game itself challenging but learned a lot from the build up as well. 

“I believe in training. 

“If you want to make the top sides, then you have to train hard and play well to deserve being considered,” Sele said.

She said playing in a women’s representative fixture was a great experience and wanted to play at that level by making the national women’s side, the Raggianas.

Sele said she was envious about other codes which saw their national sides travel and play other countries — and rugby league for women was just starting to establish itself.

Sele broke her collarbone two years ago but the injury or the risk associated with a full contact sport has not deterred her from playing.

Her goal is to make the national side — if not this year then next — but she said she was willing to keep working hard to become a Raggiana. 

“I think if you really love doing something then you will find a way to achieve your goal.”

The slightly-built Sele may be short, but her speed and skills give her an edge in a game where size is a always an advantage. Sele said she played basketball as a teenager, where she represented her district in 2007, and enjoyed the sport but she always had an interest in rugby league because of its popularity.

In her second year of rugby league, Sele played for the Oro Butterflies in the Port Moresby competition before switching to Paga Panthers this year. She has played in offseason leagues in her efforts to learn the game.

The winger/centre said her speed was her best attribute but she was working at improving the other areas of her game in order to make the national side.

Sele said the sports star she admired was local sprint queen Toea Wisil while in the game, Charlie Wabo and Michael Mark were her heroes.

“I think Toea Wisil is a great example to young girls as a successful sprinter. 

“Micheal Mark and Charlie Wabo are two small, physically statured players who have made the Kumuls and they have proven that you don’t need to be big to be a national player,” Sele said.

Sele said she was now focused on achieving something on the football field.

Sele said she was grateful to her coaches and the women’s competition organisers for seeing the need to have women involved in the sport.