Sporting youngster Mahana Sijp attended the 2025 Cronulla Sharks Harvey Norman NSW Premiership Squad trials held last week in Australia.

The opportunity has set the pathway for talented youth here in the Cook Islands to pursue their dreams of playing at the top level.

The opportunity arose as an invitation to trial for a spot in the 2026 NSW premiership squad, sparking interest for young Sijp to participate, which she eagerly accepted.

“I am so humbled and grateful for this opportunity, it’s something that I have always worked hard towards, but this couldn’t have been possible without my mum, Suneilia Tom, she has been pushing applications out to different opportunities/pathways!” Sijp said in lead up to the trial on Friday.

“My family is my inspiration. They push me through the hardest times and carry me through my highest, which makes me want to work harder and hopefully make them proud.”

The trial was held at the Cronulla Sharks Academy Fields on Friday, March 14 (Australia time). Registrations started at 6pm, and then warm up and trial commenced at 6:30pm.

Sijp said she was “feeling very nervous” about the trial.

“I’m a small Cookie young female coming to a big country, with no clue or idea about what the trial will look like. I have been in many trials before for many different sports, but this one hit differently because it’s a lifelong goal that I have been trying to reach over the years,” she said.

“I’m honestly blessed to even have this opportunity”.

Earlier this month, Sijp was in Aitutaki with the Cook Islands Rugby Union outreach team, working alongside college students to help better their understanding of rugby.

She has been very instrumental over the past few weeks and was seen in Mauke working alongside the older students to help improve their sports performance skills.

Sijp says, “it is one thing to play the sport, but it is another thing to understand its core values and how to portray them on and off the field. Anybody can be a great sports person, but if your attitude isn’t the best, then that is something you will need to ask yourselves.”

“Respecting our coaches is a big one for me, although challenges occur at times, it is always best to respect them because they too shape you into the better versions of yourselves.

“I am very grateful for all my past experiences, playing for the Avatiu Eels, for the Titikaveka Bulldogs and Tupapa Panthers, all these experiences have helped me reach this goal and rest assured it doesn’t just end here.”