When Norths Devils run out for tomorrow’s BMD Premiership clash with CQ Capras, they will feature three women whose inspirational journeys have delivered them from Papua New Guinea to Bishop Park.
Martha Molowia will make her Devils debut, joining her compatriots Belinda Gwasamun and Bertshiba Awoi in the BMD Premiership ranks for Norths.
Their paths have been blazed by Devils hooker and PNG Orchid Therese Aiton, who founded the Hezekiah Sports Scholarship Foundation that has enabled the women to join the Devils.
Molowia, Gwasamun and Awoi are staying with Aiton, who has been integral to the Devils’ inaugural BMD Premiership season.
Aiton’s scholarship enables women living in PNG to come to Australia to play rugby league and experience opportunities they may not get at home.
The scholarship has delivered the likes of PNG Orchids captain Elsie Albert to the NRLW and beyond.
“Therese has done fabulous work with this scholarship and we’re just rapt to see Martha join Belinda and Bertshiba with the Devils tomorrow,” Norths coach Zac Wallwork said.
“We’re grateful that Norths gets a chance to play a role in this program which does such important things for these players and for rugby league in general.
“All three have really earned their spots in our team and we’re excited to see them in action.”
Molowia received her Devils jersey at a presentation before training last night, becoming the 25th woman to represent Norths in the club’s historic first season in a women’s statewide competition.
Her name will soon be on the Devils honour board alongside Gwasamun and Awoi whose names are highlighted in red to acknowledge their international status for the Orchids.
All three played alongside Aiton and Albert in the Orchids’ World Cup campaign last year, coming up against Devils teammates Ali Brigginshaw and Shenae Ciesiolka in the Australian squad.
Brigginshaw and Ciesiolka will play tomorrow night as the Devils’ return to Bishop Park since the first time since their opening match.
The Devils have been a winning chance in each of their matches so far, taking a point from a draw with Brisbane Tigers.
The Capras will arrive at Bishop Park with one win from their opening matches.
“This is another good test for us and we’re just excited to be back at home. It’s been a while,” Wallwork said.
“We can see the continued improvement in the team and they’ll be ready to go again tomorrow.”
