For the first time ever, Casino High School will have three students playing rugby league in the state comp.

Ciara Close, Tye Hogan-Collins and Joshalynn Walker were selected from players between Tweed and Newcastle to play in the Combined Schools State Championship in Wollongong on May 25—28.

Joshalynn, 17, is an all round sportsperson. She plays basketball and touch football but it is rugby league that calls her.

She comes from a family of league players.

”All my Pops played,” Joshalynn said.

Her father Jonathan Walker was once selected to play for the Rabbitohs but his mother, Joshalynn’s grandmother, wouldn’t let him go to Sydney.

Joshalynn has been playing rugby league since she was 14 years old.

Casino High representative sports organiser Thaya Evenden said Joshalynn has a natural talent for the sport.

”She’s versatile across all sport,” she said.

Joshalynn has played for the Tweed Seagulls and U17 Titans.

“I’ve got two other contracts,” she said. Not a lot of high school students can say that.

She trains three days a week with training sessions going for two to three hours.

She’s fast, agile and plays fullback, Ms Evenden said.

She has the motivation too.

Joshalynn wants to one day play professional rugby league.

Her Pops will be so proud.

This article appeared on indyNR.com on 8 May 2025.