The Bega Valley will be well represented this weekend at the League Tag Representative Championships.
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Three young Eden women and two from Bega have all been selected in the Monaro Open squad - Ebony Pointon, Tamika Millard and Kiarna Mitchell from the Tigerettes and Bega's Jacinta Dummett and Madison Parbery.
They are joined by fellow league-tag reps from West Belconnen, Queanbeyan and Batemans Bay.
Country Rugby League is introducing a new format for the 2019 tournament held over two weekends with under 16s and open divisions.
Bega players dominate the junior squad with Jacinta Carr, Alanna Dummett, Calissa Badullovich, Bella Griffin, Jade Grant and Gemma Smith all set to hit the field, while Bega's Lisa Griffin is coach.
Eden's Crysten Kennedy and Alexa Clowry have also been selected.
On Saturday, July 20, in Glen Innes, the Central Coast, North Coast, Northern Rivers and Greater Northern regions will compete, while Yass will host Greater Southern, Monaro, Riverina and Western regions.
The final will be held on July 27, with the winners of the Northern and Southern pools from each respective division set to battle it out.
CRL women's participation officer Kylie Hilder said incorporating the two age groups into the competition is a positive step for the women's game.
"Having an Under-16's as well as an open division this year will showcase the regional talent coming from NSW and allow those younger girls to follow a representative pathway and keep playing League Tag," she said.
"League Tag numbers are strong throughout regional NSW and having the most talented players go up against neighbouring regions will make for an exciting tournament."
Tigerettes coach Peter Mitchell said it was "awesome" to have three Eden players selected in the 15-woman squad.
"I'm very excited for them," he said. "It's great for them to be able to experience football at a higher level than we can offer down here."
Mitchell said he will be travelling with the team on the weekend to provide LeagueSafe, leaving coaching duties to the West Belconnen head, who has taken his own team to three consecutive premierships in their local comp.
"He's pretty upbeat about it [Monaro's chances]."