New kid on the block, Shajuate Kaia-Lena Aila, is one of the hopefuls trying to cement a spot in the women’s national touch football team.
The 15-year-old, from a mixed parentage of East New Britain, New Ireland, Central, Milne Bay, Australia and China, was one of those who impressed selectors at the recent 2017 Touch Football National Championships.
Named in the women’s train-on squad, Aila now has her sights set on making her debut for PNG in the 2019 World Cup in Malaysia.
Aila, who is currently a student at Cavendish Road State High School, Brisbane, started playing touch football at age seven.
The youngster has represented (Logan and Mt Gravatt district) for Brisbane and is currently the vice-captain for her U16 Redlands team. She also made the Brisbane Metropolitan East U16 team.
Trying her hand at rugby union as well, Aila is now in her second year of playing rugby 7s with Logan Angels, and in 2015 received the Junior Player award in 2015 for her school.