By JOHN FRED
AMONG the experienced players being named recently in the National Capital District (NCD) Vipers Women’s Team for Women’s Digicel Cup Competition is one of the young rising stars from the School Girls Rugby, Ruth Gende.
Gende was named in NCD Vipers Women’s final squad for the upcoming Women’s Digicel Cup Competition.
Ruth comes from a rugby league background family. His father (Me Arnold Gende) is one of the hardworking men behind the NCD School Boys Competition.
Her father and two of her brothers are more like Ruth’s personal coach and mentors in rugby league.
Gende’s journey in rugby league started at a very young age. She would often follow her two brothers for their rugby league training at the Kaugere Primary School Oval for the Kaugere Primary School Boys Rugby League team which is also coached by her father.
She started to train with the school boys’ team when she was around the age of six, at that time there was no competition for school girls rugby league.
In 2017, when school girls’ rugby league competition started, Ruth started playing for Kaugere Primary School at the age of 12. Despite being the youngest and smallest in the team back then, Ruth was seen as a most valuable player for Kaugere Primary School girls.
Scoring tries in every match becomes her hobby. Whenever she plays for her school team Ruth always gives her best and plays with her heart.
The Simbu native became a household name in school girls’ rugby league competition. From try scoring to try saving, hard hit ups and bone crunching tackles, Ruth ticked all the boxes.
Her skills and talent were recognised by selector from Southern Confederation (Zone) in 2019 where she made her first selection appearance in her rugby league career. She was selected to take part in the School Confederation Championships held in Port Moresby.
In that same year (2019), Ruth also made her debut in senior rugby league competition.
She took part in Moresby South Rugby Football League playing for Kaukana United Women’s team. From that moment on, Ruth played in several competitions and tournaments throughout NCD.
The Kaugere Primary School Product is part of the Junior Orchids team that played against the Australian School Girls team last year at NFS. This was one of the moments Gende will always cherish, “Representing PNG in front of my family and people is something that I will always remember and embrace for eternity,” Gende said.
The Junior Orchids star player is a Center who can play full back, wing and forwards as well. Ruth’s childhood dream and goal is to make the Orchids Senior Women’s team one day.
Her main focus this year is to give her best for the NCD Vipers in Women’s Digicel Cup Competition and also attract selectors from overseas clubs as well.
