From Moreton Bay to Team World

Five Moreton Bay players are preparing to fly almost 15,000kms and face the world’s best American Football women next month.

Moreton Bay residents Tee Brown, Teesch Sinapati, Hilisha Samoa, Mary Mataroa and their Moreton Bay Raptors colleague Brandie Clucas have been selected for Team World.

All five will team-up with players from Costa Rica, Netherlands, Honduras, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and Columbia at the 2026 Women’s Football Alliance (WFA) International Bowl.

Team World goes into camp on July 23 before stepping out at the Tom Benson Pro Hall of Fame Stadium, in Canton, Ohio - birthplace of the NFL - two days later.

Facing them, in the first such global match-up, will be the WFA All-Pro team in a match expected to attract a huge crowd and millions on television.

The WFA says talent scouts are likely to be among supporters at the match which is part of the build-up to the sport's Hall of Fame ceremony.

“This game and selection is a dream come true for us,” said Hilisha Samoa, from Kallangur, who also plays for Queensland Sundevils.

“It is a pivotal match, one of many in coming years between Team World and Team USA which will help improve the skills and professionalism of female athletes playing American Football tackle.

“Our aim is to get the word out there that we are sportswomen from diverse and cultural backgrounds who have made Team World.”

Hilisha played rugby union for almost 20 years, representing Queensland and Australia - the latter at the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland - before retiring.

She then took up American Football with Raptors and in two years has played in the offensive line at tight end and right guard, earning a call-up this season for Sundevils.

Tee Sinapati, who lives in Griffin, played for Kenmore Panthers in 2013 and returned to the sport in 2022 with Bayside Ravens.

She plays defensive line/end and also right guard on the offensive line. Tee has played for Queensland in the last two campaigns.

Tee Brown also lives in Kallangur and plays guard for Raptors, alongside linebacker Brandie Clucas, from the Sunshine Coast and Lawnton’s Mary Mataroa, who plays safety.

WFA is the largest and oldest professional women’s tackle league and describes the World Bowl as a “defining moment in the globalisation of women’s tackle football”.

Commissioner Lisa King its mission is to “provide women the opportunity to play tackle football and develop the skillsets they need to compete professionally”.

The Moreton Bay players are looking for sponsors and raffle donations to help cover the cost of flights. For more information email hilishasamoa@outlook.com