The keen Paramatta Eels supporter has nurtured hundreds of Under 5s rugby league players since 1997 when Young’s Junior Rugby League Club formed the junior development group affectionately known as “Wenona’s Warriors”.

Wenona found an undying passion in the position which she has gone on to hold for 20 years.

Wenona’s Warriors allowed children five years old and under to gain basic football skills before competing in the junior competition for Under 7s. Over time the group grew from nine members to upward of 30 and attracted little Warriors from surrounding towns. 

She said it has been a privilage to live her two passions in coaching kids and teaching footy. 

“When I start the year I have goals I don’t tell the kids, and the thing that I look forward to the most at the end of the season is watching how those kids have improved,” Wenona said.

“The biggest thing is when you try get them to do something and they say “I can’t” – there’s no such thing as “I cant” in Wenona’s Warriors. 

“It might be to score a try, and to see the smile on their face when they get there is priceless. 

“To see the kids coming along, having fun, enjoying running around...sometimes they don’t take any notice of what you're doing but they’re having fun so they learn without realising it.” 

Wenona recalled a number of highlights from over the years including the time a parent approached her at training to repeat what his son said while watching the State of Origin.

“He said to him, “Dad, when I make the State of Origin I’m going to look at the cameras and say: Joe Schiller – Wenona’s Warriors”,” Wenona laughed. 

She also recalled the time Ryan Braham cried because his knees got dirty when he was tackled, or when training would stop every time a train passed so the kids could wave. The same applied to every plane that flew overhead. 

Now as Wenona supports her local football club she sees many familiar faces in Cherrypicker jerseys. 

“I look at them on the field and still think of them as kids, even when they’re adults, that never changes,” she said. 

“It’s a good feeling to see those kids still enjoying their footy and to think you were a part of that.” 

Wenona said she has enjoyed every minute of coaching and while she’s sad to see it end, other commitments have forced her to make the call.

“It’s nice to finish the same way I started – while i’m passionate about it and still love it,” she said.

“Hopefully there might be someone out there who’d like to take the reigns and train them.”

Wenona wishes to thank the Junior Rugby League Club for allowing her to coach for the last 22 years, and to the sponsors, parents, children and every person who has helped her along the way.

“Any small little thing that anyone has done over the years has been appreciated in a big way,” she said.