Former Jillaroos star to captain Orchids

By ISAAC LIRI
FORMER Australian Jillaroos five-eighth Jennie-Sue Hoepper will captain the PNG Orchids in their trial match against the Brisbane Broncos women’s team on Sunday at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.
Hoepper said she was honoured and humbled to be named captain of the Orchids and would dedicate her first outing in PNG colours to her mother and grandfather.
The 24-year-old switched her allegiance from Australia to Papua New Guinea to honour her mother and number one fan Mary Arava and also her former PNG Kumul grandfather Barry Arava from Aroma.
Hoepper said apart from her roots and connection to PNG, she also wanted to help women’s rugby league in the country grow.
“I want to inspire all the young girls out there in Papua New Guinea and give back to my mother’s country, it means a lot to me,” Hoepper said
“There is so much potential here in Papua New Guinea, rugby league is number one sport and it’s in our blood.
“I just want to help the Orchids into the future and make a pathway for the girls here to strive and make the Orchids one day.”
Orchids coach David Westley said Hoepper was a quality playmaker and great leader and was an easy choice to for captain.
Hoepper is also a goal kicker giving the Orchids much needed skill in that area of the game.
“Jennie is a really good half and a great leader and that’s the reason why I chose her to be the captain,” Westley said.
The assistant to Hoepper is Southern Confederate’s Carol Humeu, 23, who is one of the five members of the current Orchids that were part of the World Cup squad last year.
“Carol played very well last year in the World Cup and in the recent trials and showed great leadership,” Westley said of the lock.
“She’s a really worker and she’s got a bright future ahead of her and that’s why she’s the vice-captain and it will help her to step up another level.”
The Orchids-Broncos match will be televised live by Channel 9 and broadcasted live to PNG viewers through EMTV.