Aspiring NRLW player, sports physiotherapist and action photographer, 13-year-old Chawisa Harper will live out a dream when she captures the action of the opening State of Origin match in Newcastle tonight.
Selected alongside her step-father Grant Harper as winners of the Nikon Sideline Experience, the pair will be on the spot to capture the big moments as the brightest stars of the women’s game go head-to-head at McDonald Jones Stadium.
“I'm really excited to take photos and have the opportunity to photograph something that I really love doing and playing, and I think that it will be just amazing to be so close to the field,” Chawisa said.
For Grant, the chance to take part in capturing such an elite event together was special.
“It's exciting to be so close to the NRLW players and the State of Origin even better.
“We're both keen photographers and we've got access to the best equipment you can get, which is Nikon, so we're very excited.
“It's going to be a wonderful experience and being right beside the NRL photographers, seeing the angles that they get, the settings that they use, the height of their cameras, that will be fantastic.
“We're also going to get firsthand access to the Nikon professionals with their settings.
“And it's such a fantastic stadium in Newcastle too, it'll be very exciting.
“We're expecting a big crowd, and it's a, a great opportunity for the NRLW to attract a big crowd in Newcastle.”
Hailing from Wagga Wagga – where Chawisa plays for the Magpies in Under 14 Tackle and League Tag – the duo were also looking forward to the upcoming NRLW Magic Round being held at their home in August.
“With the Magic Round coming to Wagga, we're going to get to see them all again within a couple of weeks,” Grant said.
With the State of Origin match providing a taste of what was to come, Chiwasa was especially looking forward to seeing her favourite NRLW player up close, in NSW Blues and Roosters captain Isabelle Kelly.
Isabelle Kelly chats to the media at Blues team announcement
While showing talent in a range of activities including sprinting, water polo and dance; Grant was proud of how Chawisa was focusing on her goals around rugby league.
“Goals at the moment are; she'd love to be an NRLW player, she's focused on being a sports physiotherapist and a sports photographer,” Grant said.
“So with those three goals, she should be able to be involved in sports at some level in her career.”
About the Nikon Sideline Experiences
For nine years, the NRL and Nikon Australia have partnered to bring an exclusive sideline photography experiences to the biggest rugby league games of the season. Whether you're an emerging sports photographer or a passionate hobbyist, NRL lead photographer, Grant Trouville and the team from Nikon demonstrate how to capture the fastest and biggest moments right amongst the action. The Nikon NRL Sideline Experiences have been a unique approach for all NRL major events, unearthing a number of talented creatives now working in the sports media – including the NRL.
Through NRL and Nikon School, this opportunity helps, by helping you build skills, gain real live shooting experience and take your sports photography to the next level.
Spots are available through Nikon School, or keep an eye on Nikon Australia’s social channels for your chance to win a spot at some of the year's biggest NRL moments.
