ONLY three members of Garen Casey’s Carolina Storm women’s team had ever played rugby league before – yet they scooped the pool at the first ever Naples Nines at the weekend.
The Storm downed local favourites Jacksonville in the final after London Nines defending champions Roots Rugby finished third, meaning the Carolina girls have received an invitation to next year’s event in the UK.
It was a meteoric rise for the Carolina girls under the former Penrith Panther Casey.
“Carolina Storm make a statement – three ladies with league experience, all the rest were first-time players,” USA women’s rugby league said via Instagram.
“(This) further proves that the development program under USAWRL Inc is a success. We will grow even further from this.”
All three teams in the women’s division finished the pool matches level on points.
Image: US Women’s Rugby League