2024 has been a season to remember for Illawarra Steelers winger Maria Paseka.
A member of the Illawarra’s premiership-winning 2024 Tarsha Gale Cup team, Paseka also made her Under-19 NSW State of Origin debut and graduated to the Steelers Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership side, scoring four tries in her last two games.
Despite all her success, Paseka says she is still a student of the game as she adjusts to the open women’s grade.
“It’s my first year playing Open Women’s Rugby League, so I’m still transitioning,” Paseka explains.
“It’s a learning experience; I’m still adjusting and gaining more confidence every day.
“Just taking one step at a time.”
Learning Curve
Growing up, Paseka played other sports, such as rugby union and swimming, alongside her male cousins in mixed sports codes. It wasn’t until she was introduced to Rugby League at age 16 that her love for the game blossomed.
“I actually first played rugby union. I was 13 at the time and playing with my cousins and all the boys.”
The 18-year-old attributes much of her good form to her coach, Jamie Szczerbanik, who she says instills confidence in his players and encourages them to use their natural talent.
“He’s told us to play freely and that he’ll never take our natural talent away from us.”
Szczerbanik has nothing but praise for his high-flying winger and the little ‘extras’ she puts in each week.
“Maria is one of those players where good things happen around her, and it’s not by fluke,” Szczerbanik said.
“She’s put in the work behind the scenes and getting the rewards that she deserves.
“She’s got a big future ahead of her in this game.”
[Watch Video] Coach Szczerbanik on the win over the Eels, his gun flyer Maria Paseka and the team’s approach to this week’s Round 4 clash with the Cronulla Sharks.
Round Three Reflections
Coming off consecutive home wins, including a win against the Eels last Sunday, Szczerbanik was critical of his side’s defence and said they made the game tougher on themselves than it had to be.
“Not as comfortable in the end as we would’ve liked it. I think we took the scoreline at halftime for granted.
“The girls rallied towards the back end to get a good result.”
Preparing to face a Cronulla Sharks side coming off two losses, Paseka believes her side is ready for anything. She identified ‘team connection’ as one of their strengths early in the season.
“Our team connection is really strong. We always back ourselves, and our last two or three performances show that.”
Steelers forward Tiarna West seconds her teammate, explaining how essential ‘team connection’ has been in achieving their recent successes.
“Our connection as a team that we’ve built over the weeks, including preseason, has been really important.”
“Communication on the field is also another key thing for us; if we do that on the pitch, we’ll get the win.”
Read More>> Steelers Round 4 Team List
New Beginnings For West
After moving to the Illawarra from the Newcastle Knights this season, Tiarna West (pictured left) is embracing her role coming off the interchange in all three of their opening games.
“I love coming off the bench; it’s different. When I was at the Knights, I was starting at lock, so it’s different from what I used to be familiar with,” West said.
Reaching both a grand final and a semi-final as part of the Newcastle Knights Tarsha Gale side, West left her hometown and moved to Illawarra for a new opportunity.
“All the girls are really nice and friendly; I’ve built a connection with them all.
“It’s been a big change from what it was back in Newcastle, but it’s been good.”
Connecting With Country
A big part of West’s career and something that she holds close to her heart is her connectivity with her Indigenous heritage, as well as the time she has spent playing for the First Nations Gems in the Women’s National Championship.
Having represented the Gems for the past two seasons, West loves that she can incorporate activities deeply rooted in her culture while still playing rugby league.
“Playing for the First Nation’s Gems is such a different bunch of girls, I love it.
“We all go out and do heaps of country things as well like we made clapsticks from scratch in the pouring rain; it was really good.
“We all connect with our culture, and I hope to get selected again.”
The Steelers play the Cronulla Sharks in Round 4 of the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership this Sunday, 28 July at Cronulla High School. Kick-off is at 12pm.
Words: Joshua Houldin