Hale Promoted to NRL Ambassador Role   22 Jan 2016

New Zealand Rugby League

Friday, January 22, 2016

Hale Promoted to NRL Ambassador Role

Georgia Hale has created New Zealand Rugby League history, as the first Kiwi Ferns player named to the NRL Community Ambassadors programme.

As the national women's squad heads into this weekend's final selection camp for the NRL Nines, the Akarana Falcons hooker/half has been included among 40 current or former rugby league stars to promote the game on both sides of the Tasman.

Former Kiwi Jerome Ropati (#716) is the other NZ-based ambassador, while Bronson Harrison (Kiwi #723), Joe Guluvao (Kiwi #701) and Roy Asotasi (Kiwi #710) are also among those chosen.

Other notables include Darren Lockyer, Petero Civoniceva, Wendell Sailor and Alex McKinnon.

The NRL introduced four female ambassadors last year and have stretched that to six for 2016.

"I was very honoured to be asked," Hale says of her appointment. "It was definitely an eye-opener to be there among all those famous names, but it feels good to be putting the NZ women on the map."

The announcement has been part of a whirlwind week that saw her begin a new job with the Vodafone Warriors community department on Monday.

Hale (20) only made her Kiwi Ferns debut at last year's NRL Nines, helping her side to a 2-1 series victory over the world champion Australian Jillaroos, and then played her first full international at the Anzac Test in May.

"Now I look back on it, last year's nines felt like they were over in seconds, but it was something I'll always consider a highlight of my career," she reflects. "It was an overwhelming environment to be in, playing on the same stage as the best players in the world in front of a huge crowd.

Over the past 12 months, Hale has had to adjust quickly to being around some of league's biggest names - men and women - on a daily basis, but has proved that she belongs in that company on merit.

"It's a little like coming back down to earth," she admits. "I feel a lot more settled in coming to training and more confident about things."

These days, Hale probably has an inside line to nines selection this weekend, but that doesn't mean she has been resting on her laurels over the Christmas holiday.

"We do have quite a big break from footy, but I like to keep fit generally and was training hard. I really enjoy road running, but will do anything and everything, I guess."

Ferns coach Alan Jackson brought most of his squad together last week to assess their fitness and will need to reduce the original 23-strong group to 16 by Monday.

Unfortunately, he has lost two key performers from last year's campaign - veteran Laura Mariu is awaiting knee surgery, while speedy back Janna Vaughan has been added to the Olympic rugby sevens squad, after helping Manawatu to a national title last week.

Counties Manukau flyer Amber Kani has been added to the Kiwi Ferns squad that assembles in Auckland today.

That squad is:

Mary-Jane Ale (Wellington)
Ngatokotoru Arakua (Akarana)
Alexandra Cook (Akarana)
Tasha Davie (Akarana)
Maitua Feterika (Counties Manukau)
Alaimoana Fenieaso-Levi (Akarana)
Sarina Fiso (Counties Manakau)
Teuila Fotu-Moala (Counties Manakau)
Georgia Hale (Akarana)
Amber Kani (Counties Manukau)
Nora Maaka (Counties Manukau)
Kelly Maipi (Counties Manukau)
Lilieta Maumau (Counties Manukau)
Charmaine McMenamin (Akarana)
Va’anessa Molia-Fraser (Akarana)
Krystal Murray (Mid Central)
Toka Natua (Upper Central)
Annetta-Claudia Nuuausala (Counties Manukau)
Kahurangi Peters (Counties Manukau)
Kristina Sue (Mid Central)
Atawhai Tupaea (Counties Manukau)
Lanulangi Veaimu (Counties Manukau)

ends

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