IF Reegan Hicks’ goal is to play in the NRLW next year, you can guarantee she is making all the right moves.
After moving to the Beerwah Bulldogs this year, the 16-year-old year 11 student has been on a rapid trajectory towards the highest levels of league.
From top try scorer in the Bulldogs Women’s Open side (14 tries) including a record-equalling seven tries in her debut game, to Sunshine Coast, Queensland and now Australian Schoolgirls representative, Reegan’s 2023 season has been something else.
Next stop for the teen wunderkind?
“The NRLW is a big dream for me after I graduate from high school,” she said.
“I would play for any team that would have me, I don’t even really have a favourite club, I just watch any footy teams,” she said.
She had previously played for the Stanley River Wolves before moving to the Beerwah Bulldogs.
Reegan said it was an extremely proud moment when she was told she had been picked for the Australian Schoolgirls.
“I was shocked when I was picked for U18s Australian Schoolgirls because I wasn’t expecting it,” she said,
“But I was so grateful to get the opportunity.”
The squad travels to Papua New Guinea with the men’s and women’s Prime Minister’s teams later this year.
The teen trains nearly every day while also playing for the Coolum Colts as she looks to get as many minutes as possible on the field.
Reegan’s success is even more incredible given she has only been playing league for five years, and said it had quickly become her life.
“I think I just love footy for the contact and because it’s fun. It can be hard to play for two teams but it’s fun, it’s footy,” she said.
“I love the friendships I make from the sport too. I’ve got a group now and I met them while playing for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Harvey Norman Competition this year, and we are best friends now.”
Reegan also won the best forward and the best and fairest player picked by the coach at the Harvey Norman Competition she played in earlier this year.
The versatile second rower has the size to play in the front row but has also had success playing in the centres and at fullback.
She said the experience of the different positions as well as the experiences from each representative appearance has been invaluable to her development.
“She just really likes what she’s learnt from the different coaches she’s had at different levels, because every coach is different and she gets a little bit out of each coach,” her mum, Sam Hicks, said.
Sam spoke about how proud she was of her daughter, especially with her efforts in the past year.
“Reegan loves the sport, she loves the game, and has loved it from the first time she played five years ago… she’s very quiet, she’s very humble,” she said.
“I am very proud of Reegan obviously, but I’m just happy that she is achieving her goals… at the moment she is enjoying playing footy.”
Beerwah Bulldogs president Stephen Hammil said Reegan is a coach’s dream player.
“She has skills way above her age group, and could definitely make the NRLW as she puts in the hard work,” he said.
“Her best qualities as a player include her ball handling, read of the play, and her tough tackling.”
While the tough hits in the NRLW are beckoning, Reegan also has a softer side, saying she would love to be a support worker one day.
The Bulldogs are also helping Reegan raise money for her trip to PNG. Each Saturday before and after her Open Women’s games, Reegan will be selling raffle tickets for meat trays.